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Harbarti CoOege Xttirat?

FROM

Ourt Ridilng»r..

■ 1

THE DIARY OF
JAMES GALLATIN

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THE DIARY or
AMES GALEATfN

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THE DIARY OF
JAMES GALLATIN

SECRETARY TO ALBERT GALLATIN

A GREAT PEACE MAKER

1813-1827

EDITED BY

COUNT GALLATIN

WITH AN INTRODUCTION BY VISCOUNT BRYCE

NEW EDITION

NEW YORK
CHARLES SCRIBNER'S SONS

1916

'JS^^6 7, Zg^

HARVARD

UNIVERSITY

LIBRARY

OOPTBIORT, 1014, 1010. BT

OHABLBS SCRIBNER'S SONS

PREFACE

In 1875 my grandfather, James Gallatin, handed me a
large sealed packet, telling me it contained his Diary
from 1813 until 1827, also many important private
documents.

I was not in any case to publish any part of it until
1900. He died the following year. It lay unopened and
nearly forgotten until last year. On reading it, I found
it of the deepest interest. This decided me (after weeding
out large portions and suppressing anything that might
offend) to offer it to the public.

It throws a very clear light on the events leading up
to the Treaty of Ghent, and on the actual conclusion of
that treaty. James accompanied his father, Albert
Gallatin, as private and confidential secretary. He was
sixteen years of age when the Diary opens.

Albert Gallatin held a unique position. Bom at
Geneva in 1761, of one of the most aristocratic families,
he was left an orphan at an early age, and was brought
up by his grandmother, Madame de Gallatin-Vaudenet.
She was a woman of very strong character, an intimate
friend of the Landgrave of Hesse Cassel, and also of
Voltaire.

Albert Gallatin was much influenced by the latter's
liberal theories; also he had imbibed the ideas of
Rousseau and Condorcet. At the age of nineteen his
grandmother informed him that she intended placing
him in the army of the Landgrave with the rank of
lieutenant-colonel. His answer was, ^'I will not serve
a tyrant.'' A sharp box on the ears from her decided

THE DIARY OF
JAMES GALLATIN

INTRODUCTION

singularly reserved and to strangers cold and even
austere man, the product of generations of Calvinist
ancestors, an aristocrat by sentiment, and though by
conviction a stern republican, yet under no illusions as
to the weak sides of democracy. His perseverance, his
high sense of duty, and his dear, strong judgment came
out both in the notices of his conduct in difficult moments
and in the letters from his pen, some few of which have
been very properly inserted in the book. Students of
American history will value these familiar glimpses of a
man who did not in his own day receive from the general
American public the credit which his disinterestedness
as well as his abilities deserved. He was not made for
popularity, and he certainly never sought it, but those
with or under whom he worked recognized his powers,
and though there had often been friction between him
and John Quincy Adams, that upright and public-spirited
man insisted on his accepting the mission to London in
1826, which Gallatin had sought to avoid.

There are in this book many interesting sidelights on
the remarkable events and personages of the time.
Napoleon Bonaparte (during the Hundred Days) and
the Duke of Wellington pass across the stage. Louis
the Eighteenth appears frequently, and the Duke of
Berri, of whose assassination in 1820 there is a vivid
account. So does King George the Fourth and the Tsar
Alexander I of Russia, and his Minister Pozzo di Borgo,
the only Corsican, except the Bonapartes and Paoli, who
has figured in European history since the tenth century.
We hear a good deal about Lafayette and Madame de
Stael, and Joseph Bonaparte and Madame Patterson
Bonaparte (the wife of Jerome Bonaparte), while among
the other personages more or less fully touched on, there
are Alexander von Humboldt, Lord Castlereagh, Chateau-
briand, Tallejrrand (of whom there is a good anecdote).
Count d'Orsay, Madame Rfeamier, Count Walevski,
George Canning, Lord Goderich, and those two well-

INTRODUCTION

known memoir writers, the Countess de Boigne and
Charles Greville. The anecdotes are often slight but
generally diverting. There is a good deal of scandal, but
it is so softened by the lapse of a century that even the
descendants of the persons implicated need not greatly
care. The anecdotes and the gossip present a lively pic-
ture of the society of the time, more dissolute in France,
more intemperate in England, more crude in America.
On the social as well as the political side, the book is a
contribution to history, and Europeans as well as Amer-
icans may be glad that the Diary of this youthful diplo-
matist has not shared the common fate of those to which
young men consign their personal experiences.

James Bbtcs.!

CONTENTS

PART I

PAOB

FBOM THE RUSSUN OFFER OF MEDIATION TO THE

CX)NCLUSION OF THE TREATY OF GHENT 1

PART II

FROM THE CX)NCLUSION OF THE TREATY OF GHENT
TO THE SIGNATURE OF THE TREATY OF COM-
MERCE 46

PART III

THE MINISTRY IN FRANCE: FROM THE RESTORATION
OF THE BOURBONS TO THE ASSASSINATION OF
THE DUC DE BERRI 78

PART IV

THE lONISTRY IN FRANCE: FBOM THE ASSASSINA-
TION OF THE DUC DE BERRI TO THE RETURN OF
ALBERT GALLATIN TO AMERICA 165

PART V
THE SPECIAL MISSION TO ENGLAND 244

APPENDIX I— CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN ALBERT

GALLATIN AND ALEXANDER BARING 279

APPENDIX n— LETTER FROM VOLTAIRE TO THE

COMTE D'ARGENTAL 296

APPENDIX III— TRANSLATION OP DECISION OP THE

fith AUGUST, 1810 297

xiii

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

James Gallatin Fnmiispiece

By David. 1822.

FACIirO PAOB

Letter to Richard Bache 1

From the orlgliial.

Hotel d'Alcantara, Ghent, where the American Conmiissionera
lodged during the negotiations ending in the signing of the

Treaty of Peace, December 24, 1814 36

From the only known etching.

Card to the ball given at the marriage of the Dauphin, father
of Louis XVI 56

GlTen to James Gallatin at Ck>i»pet. 1816, by the Marquis of HunUy.
From the originaL

"Cupid and P^che," by David, for which James Gallatin (set.
16) posed as Cupid 64

Gaspar GaUatin . 92

Friend of Henri IV .

Madame Patterson Bonaparte (three views) 144

From a painting by Oflbert Stuart.

Vdtaire and Madame Denise 160

From the original drawing by Marquise de la Vllettet given to
Albert Gallatin at Femey in 1778.

Albert Gallatin 200

Painted at Geneva in 1816, by Madame Meunier nie Romllly,
sister of the first Lord Romllly. It is meant to be symbolic of
the signing of the Treaty of Ghent, and is in the Library at
Geneva.

Mrs. James Gallatin (Josephine Marie Henriette Gallatin, nSe
Paacault) 248

^..^«x9- c^^ri

',. ^^ 34. ^sv-^

PARTI

FBOM THE RUSSIAN OFFER OF MEDIATION TO THE
CONCLUSION OF THE TREATY OF GHENT

MARCH ISlSr-JANUARY 1815

MARCH 12» 1818

The Russian Minister Count Dashkoff offered mediation,

on the part of the Emperor Alexander, to the Secretary

of State. Father thinks this very important and of great

weight.

MARCH 14

The President has dedded to send a Commission to Russia
without delay and has requested father to go. He
feels that it is his duty. Father rarely talks to anybody
now, his mind seems fully occupied with the grave situa-
tion. I think I am the only person he confides in. He
has decided to take me with him as his Private Secretary.

BCARCH 17

Mr. Madison* told father to-day that there was nobody
compared to him as a negotiator. It has pleased him
greatly. Mr. Bayardf and J. Q. Adams, our Minister at
St. Petersburg, form the Commission.

APRIL 21

We sail on May 9.

* James Madiaon, IVerident of the United States for two tenns from
1809 unto 1817.

t Jamee Aahton Bayard, American Statesman, bom 1767, died
lAlfi.

1818] DIARY OP JAMES GALLATIN

Extrad from ALBEBT GALLATIN'S letter of May 5 to ku
BBOTHEB-IN-LAW

*' I have made up my mind that I could in no other manner
be more usefully employed for the present than on the
negotiation of a peace. Peace is at all times desirable.
England must be desirous at this critical moment to have
it in her power to apply her whole force on the continent
of Europe, and the mediation of Russia saves her pride/'

Diary resumed:

MAY 9, 181S

We sailed to-day from Newcastle — a ship called the

Neptune, 300 tons — Captain Lloyd Jones, J. A. Bayard,

G. H. Dallas, George Milligan, John Todd, father, and

myself.

MAY 10

Head-winds. I am a bad sailor. I share father's cabin.
He comes in now and then and looks at me gravely. He
says he has no time to think of being sick.

MAY 11

A British frigate at anchor; she sent a boat with a
lieutenant and the captain's compliments to father
saying that he would be pleased to see him on board.
Of course he declined, but sent Dallas and Milligan to
present his compliments. Captain Jones also took
Admiral Warren's passport to have it endorsed. The
frigate is the Spartan — her Captain's name is Braynton.

JUNE «0: GOTTENBURG

We anchored in the quarantine grounds this morning.
It being Sunday we only got our permission from Gotten-
burg to land in the evening. I was only too glad to
jump into a boat and go on shore after having been more
than forty days at sea. We were only allowed on the

DIARY OP JAMES GALLATIN [181S

quarantine island. Wild roses in profusion. The island
is only a barren rock. Returned on board at 10.30.

JUNE 21

We hired two boats to take us to Gottenburg. We landed
five miles from Gottenburg as the current was so strong.
We fortunately found carriages to take us to the town.
While we waited for them we went into some of the houses;
they are very dirty, horrible smells. All the women are
ugly and blow their noses on their aprons. Such apologies
for carriages — simply open carts, four of them, each
drawn by half-starved ponies; wooden springs to the
carts. The River Gotha full of shipping. We stopped
at the house of a Mr. Dixon a nice Scotsman who had
been American Consul. Several Americans came to see
father.

JUNE n

Returned to our ship after breakfast — sailed in the
evening. . . . Father found a courier going to England
and entrusted him with a letter to Alexander Baring
which I copied for him.*

JUNE 85: COPENHAGEN

We landed this morning. Went to Bachalan's Hotel.
Father let me go to see all the sights and afterwards
questioned me by way of teaching me history.

JULY 1

We went on board this morning. South-east wind,
which delays us greatly. Father called me on deck;
pointed out where Lord Nelson fought his battle in 1801.
He says all the fortifications are new. It was bom-
barded in September 1807. Most of the houses destroyed
and over two thousand killed. There seem to be

* For the eorreMpondence between Alexander Baring and Albert OaUatin
woe Appendix L

181S] DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN

batteries everywhere now and the population is armed.
The King lives most simply. The Ministers have merely
nominal salaries. Father says he cannot understand
England and Russia's conduct toward Norway. It has
thrown the nation into the hands of the French against
their will. Great poverty and distress and much dis-
content. The people struck me as most civil; they
looked weary and oppressed, but are very sober.

JULYS

Always head-winds. I do hope we will finish this voyage
soon^ it is so monotonous. Father wishes me to do a
certain amount of work every day. I feel it is good for
me and it certainly makes the time pass more rapidly.

JULYS

Lovely weather but still head-winds. Just called on
deck to see the coast of Courland. All on board are
getting very weary and impatient to land. Father
always keeps his serene temper.

JULY 1«

Entered Gulf of Finland. We will soon be at the end

of our voyage.

JULY 21: ST. PETERSBURG

After a tedious journey with little to interest one we
arrived at St. Petersburg. It is very beautiful. Weather
very warm.

JULY 2S

Have been sight-seeing all day. St. Petersburg is very
fine — great width of the streets and fine palaces. In
the evenings father tells me much of Russian history.
Mr. Adams* very civil but has a disagreeable manner.
He is from New England, a "Yankee."

* John Quincy Adams — 1767, died 1848, son of John Adams, second
President of the United States.

DIARY OP JAMES GALLATIN [1813

JULY 25

Father is much disappointed that no steps have been
taken by England beyond a note discouraging arbitration
altogether. He fears the English Government resent
the offer of Russian mediation and that the President
was a little hasty in sending the mission.
The Emperor is not at St. Petersburg but with his
army fighting Napoleon. He left Count Romanzoff in
charge of foreign affairs and has taken Count Nesselrode
with him. This father greatly regrets, as Count N.
has great influence with the Emperor and thinks it to
the interest of Russia to remain in close friendship with
England. Count Romanzoff, on the contrary, was the
instigator of the offer of mediation on the part of Russia,
as he disapproves of the overpowering dominion of
England on the sea. • . •

JULY 29

Our position is a very embarrassing one. We plainly see
we are not wanted. Romanzoff is pressing the Emperor
to renew his offer of mediation to England. • • •

AUGUST 6

Such weary waiting, and all seems so hopeless. My
father's wonderful calm and patience surprise one and
all. I, of course, being so young, find plenty of amuse-
ment here; all is so new to me. To-day, after all corre-
spondence was terminated, father began to talk to me.
He warned me as to my future life — that is, if I decided
to remain in America — never, above all things, to forget
my birth and the duties that birth brings — never to do
anything to dishonour a name which for centuries had
never borne a stain — always to remember that true
nobility was simplicity — always to be civil, particularly
to those who were not my equal — to guard against the
horde of adventurers who were certain to swarm to
America — that the country was so vast that the hidden

181S] DIARY OP JAMES GALLATIN

wealth in minerals, &c. &c., must be enormous — adven-
turers would come with the lust of gold — men without
scruples or conscience or education — ^that there would
be terrible corruption — never to mix myself with any
man who did not carry on his business or speculations
in an honest manner — far better to die poor and honoured
than to sully my name — ^that the country would suffer
for years from corruption — immense fortunes would be
made and lost and men of evil repute would, on account
of the power of their money, keep corruption and dis-
honesty afloat. . • •

AUGUST 9

I never saw people drink as the Russians do — a long
buffet covered with bottles and glasses and caviare.
They drink seven or eight glasses of 'oodka (fire water)
before going into dinner. I have never touched spirits
of any kind. After dinner the young men are all drunk
and disgusting. . . •

AUGUST 11

Yesterday the Emperor's answer was communicated to
father and the other envoys. He authorizes Romanzoff
to renew offer of mediation to England, but to send it
direct to London. • • •

AUGUST 9A

Count Romanzoff summoned the envoys and read to
them the dispatches renewing the offer. Father suggested
two or three alterations and they were made. I seem to
be writing all day — my head is in a whirl, but I suppose
it is a good training for me.

SEPTEMBER 2

Father has written a long letter to-day to General Moreau.*

We do our best to amuse ourselves here but it is very

*Jean Victor Moreau, bom at Morlaix, Brittany, 1763, killed in
battle under the walls of Dresden. He was one of the most illustrioua
Generals during the Revolution. Arrested by the Order of Bonaparte,

DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN [1813

weary work, the uncertainty is so great. Under all this
strain father is always calm and shows no signs of
anxiety. . . •

SEFTEMBEB 12

To-day Count RomanzofiP oflScially recognized father as

envoy from America. . • .

GENERAL MOREAU to ALBERT GALLATIN*

Augua 21, 1813
MoN CHER Monsieur Gallatin,

Me voil& de nouveau i, Tarm^e, prSt & combattre
Bonaparte et le faisant^ je vous I'assure, sans la moindre
repugnance, bien convaincu que si dans ma petite capacity
je puis contribuer & sa chute, je recevrai aussi ma part de
remerciements de la France et du monde entier: peu
importe la bannidre quand on r6ussit. Si Robespierre
avait 6t£ tu6 par les Royalistes, les Republicains les en
auraient remerci6 24 heures aprSs.

J'ai appris avec bien du chagrin que votre mission
n'aurait pas le r^ultat que nous 6tions tons promis,
malgr6 la puissante mediation de S.M. Impiriale. Les
Anglais ne veulent pas traiter de leurs droits maritimes
sous aucune m^iation. Voili ce que me dit un de
leurs ministres en Allemagne.

Quoique je n'ai pas I'honneur d'etre Am6ricain je
m'int^resse bien sincerement au sort d'un pays oil j'ai

tried for high treason, found guilty and sentenced to exile. He went
to the United States of America in 1804 and remaiDed there until 1813.
He joined the army of the ^Emperor Alexander, and fought against
Napoleon.

* TrandatUm c/ LeUer c/ GeneraZ Mareau to Albert GaUaHn
Mt dbar Mb. Gallatin,

Here 1 am back with the army, ready to fight Napoleon, and
that, believe me, without the smallest compunction. For I am
oonvinoed that if the little I can do in my position contributes to his
downfall, 1 also shall get my share of tluuiks from France and the
whole world. Succeed and it matters little under what flag one fights.

1818] DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN

rest6 si longtemps et oii j'ai re^u tant de marques d'amiti&
Je ne suis pas aveugle sur la position actuelle de ce pays,
mais j'aurai toujours de la partiality pour lui. Je
m'int^resserai toujours & son bonheur et k son succ^.

Le refus du gouvemement anglais doit vous mettre
dans une situation trds-d£sagr6able.

Je vois d'ici les F6deralistes exag£r£s rire des maux
de leur pays par I'espoir de voir le triomphe de leur
parti, et les exag6rfe du parti contraire en profiter contre
vous et le Pr^ident; car il ne faut pas vous en flatter,
quelque m6contentement que le refus des Anglais de
traiter en Russie puisse occasionner la guerre ne sera pas
nationale; il y'a trop d'^goisme; trop de richesse dans
toutes les classes, et pas assez d'argent dans les caisses
de r^tat, pour qu'on puisse esp6rer un mouvement assez
vigoureux de la nation qui la mette dans une attitude
imposante.

Les Anglais veulent, dit-on, traiter de la paix sans
mediation. Je le crois, mais il est i craindre que la

If it had been the Roy&Imts who slew Robespierre, the Republicans
would have thanked them twenty-four hourB after.

I was indeed sorry to hear that in spite of the powerful intervention
of his Imperial Majesty your mission would not meet with the success
that we anticipated. As one of the English ministers in Germany said
to me, "The English will not admit of any mediation when their
rights at sea are under discussion."

I have not the honour to be an American, but I am deeply inter-
ested in the fate of a country where I have stayed so long and where
I have received so many marks of kindness. I am far from being
blind to the present position of your country, but I shall alwa3rs have
an interest in her welfare and success.

The refusal of the English Government must place you in a very
disagreeable position. I can imagine the extreme Federals laughing
at disasters to their country in the hope of a party triumph; while
I can see the Extremists on the other side making capital out of them
to discredit you and the President. There is no use in deceiving
yourself; America may be irritated by the English refusal to treat
under the mediation of Russia, but the war will never be a national
war. There is too much selfishness in every class, too much private
money at stake, and too little in the public Exchequer to permit of

DIARY OP JAMES GALLATIN [1813

vanity am6ricaine n'accMe pas suMe-champ i cette
fa^on de faire, et que les malheurs de cette guerre con-
tinuent encore quelque temps. S'il n'y a pas de com-
motion int^rieure, ce ne sera qu'une perte d'argent, et
la dur6e de la guerre aura pour les Anglais un grand
desavantage, celui de vous apprendre de vous passer d'eux.

Le pire sera Tavantage que vos enemis particuliers
et ceux du Pr^ident en tireront pour vous nuire, vous
accuser de precipitation dans Tenvoi de ministres avant
de vous £tre assures de I'accession de TAngleterre. II
est beau de commettre de pareilles erreurs. L'empresse-
ment de faire cesser les maux de la guerre pent 6prouver
la censure de la politique, mais certes il m^ritera, k celui
qui la montre, I'approbation des amis de Thumanite.

Je d^irais bien recevoir de vos nouvelles avant votre

any hopes of a national movement strong enough to give to the country
a commanding attitude.

"But England they aay wants peace without mediation." I think
80 too, but it is to be feared that American pride may prevent an
immediate acceptance of the Engliwh proviM), and that the miseries of
this war may continue for some time longer. If the feeling of the
country is not aroused it will be but a waste of money, while England
win also be a loser, for the length of the war will teach you to do
without her.

Worst of 831 win be the advantage that your own and the President's
personal enemies will gain of damaging you, of accusing you of hasty
action in despatching the mission before you had made certain of the
wiOingnesB of England to treat. It is fine to make such mistakes.
Though politicians may blame an eager determination to put an end
to this disastrous war, the determination deserves, as all who support
it deserve, the cordial approval of every friend of humanity.

I would be glad to have some of your news before your return to
America. His Imperial Majesty loads me with proofs of his friendship.
He is kindness itself, and Uie most honest man of my acquaintance.
He is keenly interested in America, and I am sure that you may
always count on his readiness to use all his influence to bring about
peace. If I can be of any assistance either to yourself personally or
to your mission, pray make use of me, and in the meantime believe
me with kind regards,

Your most humble and obedient servant Morbau.

18181 DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN

retour en Am^rique. S.M. Imp^riale, I'homme le plus
humain et le plus honn^te que je connaisse, me comble
d'amiti^. II s'int^resse aux Amiricains et sera toujours
prSt, j'en suis sur, k user de toute son influence pour leur
procurer la paix. Si je pouvais vous Stre bon k quelque
chose ou pour voire mission ou pour vous-m6me veuillez
disposer de moi et croire aux sentiments de la considera-
tion la plus distingu6e avec laquelle je suis votre trds-
humble et trds-ob6issant serviteur.

MOREAU,

Au Quartier-G6n6ral Imperial, Hrushova, 21 AoAt, 1813.

SEPTEMBER 15: WEDNESDAY

No answer from England. Father greatly distressed at

the death of General Moreau.

SEPTEMBER 20

Nothing doing ri mediation; we have to wait patiently
for answer. Father thinks nothing can be done in Russia
and is anxious to go to England.

SEPTEMBER 25

We amuse ourselves as best we can. It is not the season
here. St. Petersburg deserted, hot with wind and dust,
I go to the theatre and occasionally dine out. . • •

OCTOBER 19

A thunderclap to-day. Letters from Washington; one
announcing officially that the Senate had rejected father's
nomination as head of the Commission by one vote. • . •

THE SECRETARY OF STATE to the AMERICAN
COMMISSIONERS

Depastmsnt of State»

August 6, 1813

Gentlemen,

I am very sorry to be under the necessity of com-
municating to you an event of which there was no antic-
ipation when you left the United States.

DIARY OP JAMES GALLATIN [1813

The event to which I allude is the rejection by the
Senate of the nomination of Mr. Gallatin on the idea
that his mission to Russia was incompatible with the
office of Secretary of the Treasury.

After the appointment of Mr. Jay, when Chief Justice
of the United States, by President Washington, and of
Mr. Ellsworth, when holding the same office, by President
Adams, by which a member of a separate branch of the
Government was brought into an office under the Execu-
tive, and after the sanction given in practice as well as
by law to the appointment of persons during the absence
of a head of a department to perform its duties, it was
presumed that there would not be any serious or sub-
stantial objection to the employment in a similar service
of a member of the Administration itself.

Although this nomination was opposed in the Senate
as soon as it was acted on, yet it was not believed that
it would be rejected until the vote was taken. At an
early stage the President was called on by a resolution
of the Senate to state whether Mr. Gallatin retained the
office of Secretary of the Treasury, and, in case he did,
who performed the duties of that department in his
absence. The President replied that the office of Secre-
tary was not vacated by Mr. Gallatin's appointment to
Russia, and that the Secretary of the Navy performed
its duties in his, Mr. Gallatin's, absence. After this
reply, which was given in conformity with the President's
own views of the subject, and with those of Mr. Gallatin
when he left the United States, it was impossible for the
President, without departing from his ideas of propriety
in both respects, to have removed Mr. Gallatin from
the Treasury to secure the confirmation of his nomination
to Russia. It would have been still more improper to
have taken that step after the rejection of the nomina-
tion. The President resolved, therefore, to leave the
mission on the footing on which it was placed by the
vote of the Senate by which the nomination of Mr. Adams

1818] DIARY OP JAMES GALLATIN

and Mr. Bayard was confirmed. Whatever has been
done jointly under the Commission, given to the three
Commissioners by the President when you left the
United States, in compliance with your instructions will
not be affected by this event.

OCTOBER 22

Father had an interview with Count Romanzoff to-day.
The latter begs him to remain in St. Petersburg but
he thinks he ought, perhaps, to return at once to the
Treasury. He feels now that he can act as he chooses as
he is free. His political enemies are gaining power. He
is strongly impressed with the idea that he ought to
resume the negotiations. . • •

OCTOBER 24

After a stormy interview with Mr. Adams (Adams was
the storm) father has decided to take his own cpurse.
He is sending Mr. Dallas to London to see Lord Castle-
reagh. Count Lieven* and Mr. Baring, with the object of
being in direct communication with them. . • .

OCTOBER 26

Father thinks of going himself to England or to go direct
to the Emperor's headquarters. Count Romanzoff spoke
to father a few days since about a Count Joseph Galati,
a major-general in the Russian army. He wanted an
introduction. He is going to call to-morrow, as he is
only passing through St. Petersburg on his way to join
the Emperor. • . .

OCTOBER 27

Count Galati called this afternoon. He says he is a
branch of our family; that his family were from Savi-
gliano in the Piedmont; that his father was intimate with
Count Paul Michael de Gallatin, Councillor of State of

* Count Lieven, afterwards Prinoe Ueven, RussiaQ Ambaaaador at
the Court of St. James.

DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN [1814

the Republic of Geneva, who acknowledged relationship.
He was very charming, and father does not doubt the
relationship. Count Paul Michael was the head of our
family and my father was his ward. Count Galati is a
great person in Russia. He was in full uniform, covered
with orders and stars. He kindly explained them to me.
He has the following orders: the Military Orders of
St. George and St. Vladimir of Russia, St. Maurice and
St. Lazare of Sardinia, and the Sovereign Order of
St. Jean of Jerusalem. He so deeply regrets he is leaving
to morrow as he wishes us to go to his country house. . . .

OCTOBER 28

Lord Walpole has arrived. Father is greatly annoyed

at his openly talking of Count Romanzoff's "intrigues."

OCTOBER SO

Count Romanzoff has just sent father a note informing

him that he intended retiring from office but that he will

remain Chancellor until he has closed the affairs of the

mission.

DECEMBER 1

It seems all the trouble has been made by the Emperor
forgetting to communicate a most important note to
Count R., which put him in a false position. So after all
Lord Castlereagh was not to blame

JANUARY 1«, 1814

Father has decided to leave St. Petersburg as there is not

a word from the Emperor. . . .

JANUARY 26

We leave to-day. Mr. Bayard accompanies us.

MARCH 5: AMSTERDAM

After a terrible, cold, and weary journey we arrived here

last night. • . •

1814] DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN

MARCH 6

We learnt with great pleasure to-day that Lord Castle-
reagh's offer of direct negotiations has been met by the
President by the appointment of a new Commission.
Father's name was omitted. It seems the President
thinks he is on his way back to take up the Treasury. • . .

MARCH 80

The President has discovered the mistake and appointed
Father as one of the Commission. • . .

MARCH 22

Father received to-day the necessary permission from
Mr. Baring to visit England. We are leaving imme-
diately. . . .

APRIL 9: LONDON
Arrived here to-day.

APRIL 11

Father wants to change the place for the negotiations.
He thinks London would be far better. He would then
be in direct touch with Lord Castlereagh. We are now
comfortably settled in apartments in Seymour Street.
I find London very dull in comparison to Paris and St.
Petersburg. Our position is not a very pleasant one; we
have many invitations, and I think all mean to be civil
and kind, but there is always a feeling of constraint. . . .
The only house where we seem to be really welcome
is Mr. Baring's.

APRIL 13

Father sees a great deal of his old friend Monsieur
Dumont.* He brought Jeremy Benthamf to introduce
him to-day. We dine with Monsieur D. to-morrow. . . .

*Andr6 Dumont, politician, bora 1764, died 1836. Baniahed by
Louis XVIIl in 1816 under the law against regicides.

t Jeremy Bentham, bom 1748, died 1832, a political and philo-
sophical writer.

DIARY OP JAMES GALLATIN [1814

AFBIL 14

. . . Dined with Lord Bathurst^ stiff and formal. . . .

APBIL 15

Oh I the horrors of Sunday in London. It is indeed a

day of rest.

Englishwomen are not pretty; they are either coarse

or very delicate. Complexions fine but too red. Dress

so very badly — no taste. . • .

APBIL 17

I have been nearly every day to the British Museum.

Father wanted many works consulted and notes

taken. . . .

I looked up Barth6Iemy de Gallatin.* He was Colonel of

the Mounted Grenadiers. He died in 1786 and is buried

at Brompton near his country house. I found his name,

&c. &c.| in an old Army list. He left two daughters. . . .

APRIL 18

I have seen the Prince Regent walking in the Mall.
He is handsome. The Queen I have seen several times.
She keeps great state. . . .

The foOawing UUen of Albert GaOatin to W. E. Crawford and Gen^
end Lafayette are of interest in connection wUh the negotiaUons as ahouh
ing the diplonuUic difficuUiea iffUh which the miesion had to eontend.

ALBERT GALLATIN to W. H. CRAWFORDf

London, April 121, 1814
Mt deab Sib,

Mr. Bayard and myself left St. Petersburg on
January 25, remained four weeks at Amsterdam, and
arrived here on the 9th inst. I could not write to you
sooner, there having been no communication with Paris

*Barih^lemy de GaUatin, Lieut.-Colonel Second Troop of Hone
Grenadier Guards, 7th April, 1759. (From the military register for
the year 1770.)

t William H. Crawford, Secretary of War in the Um'ted States.

1814] DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN

from Holland, and Mr. Poletica, who is the bearer of this,
having offered the first safe opportunity for a confidential
letter.

Messrs. Clay and Russell, who are jointly with Messrs.
Adams and Bayard appointed to open a direct negotia-
tion for peace with Great Britain, arrived at Gottenburg
on the 12th inst., after a passage of forty-six days; but
as they had not reached the town when the last packet
sailed, we have -not yet received any letter from them,
or any American news brought by the vessel in which
they came.

There is a newspaper report of Norfolk, under date of
February 12, stating that G. W. Campbell was made
Secretary of the Treasury, Rush Attorney-General, and
that I had been nominated fifth Commissioner to treat
of peace with England. My stay in Europe will, of
course, depend on the official account which Messrs. Clay
and Russell will have brought. You are sufficiently aware
of the critical situation in which the restoration of a
general European peace has placed our affairs. The
numerous English forces in France, Italy, Holland, and
Portugal ready for immediate service, and for which
there is no further employment in Europe, afford to this
Government the means of sending both to Canada and
to the United States a very formidable army, which
we are not prepared to meet with any regular, well-
organized force; and they will also turn against us as
much of their superabundant Naval forces as they may
think adequate to any object they may have in view.
In the prosecution of the war the Ministry would be
supported by the general voice of the nation. In the
intoxication of an unexpected success, which they ascribe
to themselves, the English people eagerly wish that their
pride may be fully gratified by what they call the "punish-
ment of America." They do not even suspect that we
had any just cause of war, and ascribe it solely to a
premeditated concert with Bonaparte at a time when

DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN [1814

we thought him triumphant and their cause desperate.
That such opinions should be almost universally enter-
tained here by the great body of the people is not at all
astonishing. To produce such an effect, and thereby
render the American war popular, the Ministerial powers
have had nothing more to do than to transcribe American
Federal speeches and newspapers. If Pickering, Quincy,
Strong, Hanson, &c., have not brought a majority of the
American people to their side, they have at least fully
succeeded here, and had no difficulty in convincing all
that part of the English community which derives its
information from political journals that we had no cause
of complaint, and acted only as allies of Bonaparte. I
unders:tand that the members of the Cabinet do not
participate in that opinion, but it will certainly require
an effort on their part against popular feeling to make
peace with America. It must be added that even there
(in the Cabinet) a belief is said to be entertained that a
continuance of the war would produce a separation of
the Union, and perhaps a return of the New England
States to the Mother Country. The multitude of persons
in the Army or Navy, or connected with the war, attached
to the governing party, and whom peace will throw out
of employment, will also press on Government; and
although it is probable that the immense military and
naval establishments of this country will be so far reduced
as to enable Government to dispense with the most
unpopular war taxes, a prosecution of the war against
the United States would afford a convenient pretence for
preserving a much more considerable standing force
than is necessary and would otherwise be allowed by
Parliament. It may, on the whole, be reasonably inferred
that the Ministers will be neither disposed to make the
least concession — for doing us justice on any point would
receive that name — in order to obtain peace, nor at aU
displeased in case of failure of the negotiations.
The only external check to those dispositions can be

1814] DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN

found in the friendly interposition of the Emperor
Alexander, not as a mediator but as a common friend,
pressing on this Government the propriety of an accom-
modation, and expressing his strong wishes for a general
restoration of peace to the civilized world. I do not
know whether your situation affords you means of
approaching him, and can only state my opinion of the
great importance that an early opportunity should be
taken by you, or any other person you may think fitted
for the object, to call his attention to the situation in
which we are left, and to the great weight which his
opinion in favour of peace on liberal conditions, strongly
expressed to this Government, must necessarily have at
this time. Of his friendly disposition for the United
States there is no doubt; but we may be forgotten;
and it is necessary that he should be apprised of the
hostile spirit which prevails here, and which, if not
balanced by some other cause, may even carry Ministers
beyond their own wishes and views. It should also
be stated that our Government, having accepted one
year ago the Emperor's mediation, and not having sup-
posed that, considering the political connection between
him and Great Britain, she could reject that offer, no
other provision was made on Our part to obtain peace
until our Government was apprised in January last of
the rejection of the mediation by England. Thus was a
delay of a year produced, and the opening of our negotia-
tions unfortunately prevented till after England is at
peace with the rest of the world; a circumstance which,
although it does not give us a positive right to claim
the Emperor's interference, affords sufficient ground to
present the subject to his consideration. I entreat you
to lose no time in taking such steps as may be in your
power in that respect, and to write to me whatever you
may think important for the success of the mission
should be known to us. The only modes of safe convey-
ance which I would recommend would be private American

DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN [1814

opportunities, or through the channel of the Russian
Secretary of State, or of Mr. Poletica, directing to me
under cover of " Count Lieven, Ambassador Extraordinary
of H.I.M. the Emperor of all the Russias, London."

I send General la Fayette's patents, which were erro-
neously put in my hands instead of yours, and which
I have had no previous safe opportunity to transmit.
My last letters from my family were dated January 23,
when they were all well; but I have none of a late date
from Government or from any of its members.

I am, my dear sir, with great respect and sincere
attachment, truly yours.

Albert Gallatin.

ALBERT GALLATIN to GENERAL LAFAYETTE

London, April 121, 1814
Dear Sir,

I regret that your patents should be put in my hands
instead of being entrusted to Mr. Crawford, as no safe
opportunity has as yet offered itself for their conveyance.

I had the pleasure of seeing very often your friend
Tracy at St. Petersburg, and left him there in good health
on January 25.

I believe that I am not mistaken in offering you my
congratulations on the late events in France. It would
certainly have been desirable that the changes should
have been produced by the spontaneous will of the French
people rather than to appear to have been forced by a
foreign army. But if such was to be the mode, you
are most singularly fortunate that the Emperor Alexander
should have been the agent. With respect to the result
itself, I think that every friend of rational liberty and of
humanity must rejoice at the overthrow of the detestable
tyranny under which you and a great part of Europe
groaned, and in the hope that you have at last laid the
foundations of institutions probably as free and liberal
as you are susceptible of. My attachment to the form

1814] DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN

of government under which I was born and have ever
liv^ never made me desirous that it should, by way of
experiment, be applied to countries which might be better
fitted for a limited monarchy. ' And if this be that which
suits you best, I think the ancient dynasty in every
respect preferable to a new one. Unfortunately, whilst
the greater part of the civilized world rejoices at the
restoration of a general peace, the United States alone
remain at war, and are placed in a more critical situation
than ever they were since the first years of their revolu-
tion. Pride, avarice, and ambition will throw here great
obstacles to an accommodation for which there has ever
been, on our part, the most sincere disposition. I write
to you well knowing your unalterable attachment for
America, and that, if in your power, you will lend your
assistance in promoting that result.

Albert Gallatin.
Bvarg resumed :

APBIL2S

Father very busy. He has been in close conference with
Lords Castlereagh, Liverpool, and Bathurst. There is
much to be discussed. . . •

APBIL 26

Still waiting to hear when the English Commission think
of starting for Ghent. Father would have much preferred
carrying out the negotiation in London, but our other
Commissioners refused point-blank; they were either
afraid or too proud to come to England. Of course they
look upon father as a foreigner. This has annoyed him
very much. He will, I fear, have a very tough time of it
in keeping his colleagues in unison, although, by the
accident of his being appointed last on the Commission,
he is practically the head of it. This position all the
Commissioners acknowledge with the exception of Mr.
Adams, who is a firebrand. . . .

DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN [1814

Father is annoyed at the attitude taken by Messrs.
Adams and Clay.* They both have written to him in the
same strain refusing to consent to the delegates sitting in
London. The reason they both give is that they are
plain Americans and that in England they would only be
snubbed and treated as colonists, adding: "You are a for-
eigner, which places you on an entirely different footing."

MAY 2

We dined with Lord Liverpool on Saturday. Nothing
new.

MAY 12

I have just written a letter to Mr. Monroe f at father's
dictation. He fears that England is determined to
isolate the United States and cut her off from the Baltic
Powers. This has made him more keen than ever. We
remain here until we hear from the Commissioners at
Gottenburg, but are ready to leave the moment he hears
the English Commissioners are on their way to Ghent.

MAY 9St

Father is doing his utmost to obtain the mediation of the
Emperor Alexander. The latter he hears is coming to
England. He is using all the influence in his power to
have a personal interview. . . .

Letter from Gen, Lafayette to Mr. Crawford, giving an account of an inters
view vrith the Emperor Alexander and shewing the latter's inclination to
promote peace.

May 26, 1814

Mt deab Sir,

I passed the last evening in company with the
Emperor Alexander, who,. however prepossessed in his
favour I may have been, has surpassed my expectations.

* Henry Clay, Orator and Statesman, bom in Virginia, U.S.A., 1777,
died 1852. Speaker in 1808 in United States Senate.

t James Monroe, Secretary of State, November, 1811, to February,
1815. Ptedde&t of the United States, 1817-1825.

1814] DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN

He really is a great, good, sensible, noble-minded man,
and a sincere friend to the cause of liberty. We have
long conversed upon American a£Fairs. It began with
his telling me that he had read with much pleasure and
interest what I had sent him. I found ideas had been
suggested that had excited a fear that the people of the
United States had not properly improved their internal
situation. My answer was an observation upon the
necessity of parties in a Commonwealth, and the assertion
that these were the happiest and freest people upon
earth. The transactions with France and England were
explained in the way that, although the United States
had to complain of both, the British outrages came nearer
home, particularly in the affair of impressments. He
spoke of the actual preparation and the hostile dis-
positions of England.

I, of course, insisted on the importance of his mediation,
the confidence reposed in him by the United States, who
hastened to send Commissioners chosen from both parties,
and which he very kindly acknowledged. He said he had
twice attempted to bring on a peace. "Do, sir," said I,
"make a third attempt; it must succeed; ne vous arrStez
pas en si beau chemin. All the objects of a war at an
end, the re-establishment of their old limits can be
less opposed, as the Americans have gained more than
they have lost. A protraction of the war would betray
intentions quite perverse and hostile to the cause of
humanity. Your personal influence must carry the
point. I am sure your Majesty will exert it." "Will,"
says he, "I promise you I will. My journey to London
affords opportunities, and I will do the best I can." I
told him I had received a letter from Mr. Gallatin now
in London, and we spoke of liim, Mr. Adams, Mr. Bayard,
and the two new Commissioners. I had also other occa-
sions to speak of America — one afforded me by the
Swedish Marshal Stadinck, who mentioned my first going
over to that country; another by a well-intentioned

DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN [1814

observation of Madame de Stael that she had received a
letter from my friend Mr. JeflFerson, of whom she spoke
with great regard. This led to observations relative to
the United States and the spirit of monopoly in England,
extending even to liberty itself. The Emperor said, they
had been more liberal in Sicily than I supposed them.
I did not deny it, but expressed my fears of their pro-
tecting Ferdinand against the Cortes. His sentiments on
the Spanish affairs were noble and patriotic. The slave-
trade became a topic upon which he spoke with philan-
thropic warmth. Its abolition will be an article in the
general peace. You see, my dear sir, I had fully the
opportunity we were wishing for. If it has not been
well improved, the fault is mine. But I think some good
has been done. And upon the promise so candid and
generous I have full dependence. If you think proper to
communicate these details to Mr. Gallatin, be pleased to
have them copied. He spoke very well of him, and
seemed satisfied with the confidence of the United States
and the choice of their representatives to him. By his
last accounts Mr. Adams was at St. Petersburg.

The particulars of this conversation ought not, of
course, to be published; but you will probably think it
useful to communicate to the Commissioners. . • •

JUNE «

The Emperor is expected in London next week. The
European Treaty of Peace has been signed. He comes
as the guest of England. This will make it more difficult
for father, as the position will be a delicate one. Lord
Castlereagh arrives to-day or to-morrow. It seems that
the exclusion of all Maritime questions or any interference
re America was one of the conditions of the Chatellon
Conference.

JUNE 4

Father anxious — waiting to hear from General Lafayette.
I am just going to Eton to see the festivities.

1814] DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN

JUNE a

He received a letter from M. Lafayette this morning,
from Paris. It gave him a brief r^um6 of his interview
with the Emperor Alexander at Madame de Stael's. He
begs father if possible to remain in England to have a
personal interview with the Emperor, which he says the
Emperor promised to grant him — but that it must be of
a private nature. He also mentions that Baron Humboldt
has also approached his Majesty — and adds that the •
latter "puts himself at your disposal."

JUNE 10

The Emperor arrived to-day. He is lodged at Leicester
House, Leicester Fields. This is the palace that the
eldest daughter of James I occupied; she was known
as the "One-year Queen of Bohemia." Her daughter
was the Electress Sophia, mother of George I. . • •

JUNE 14

The Emperor's aide-de-camp called to-day. He said the
Emperor had sent him to say that on June 18 he would
receive us privately at 11.30. . . .

As it is a delicate matter there has not been any cor-
respondence on the subject. • . .

JUNE 18

As arranged, his Majesty received father this morning.
We went accompanied by Mr. Levitt Harris, a secretary
to the St. Petersburg Mission. Our minister o£Fered the
loan of his coach. This father thought wise to refuse,
and hired a common hackney-coach so as to attract i&
little attention as possible. The streets were crowded.
It is the day of the banquet given by the City of London
to the allied Sovereigns. Only father and myself were
admitted to his Majesty's presence. There were crowds
waiting for audiences. We were passed in at once.

DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN [1814

Father was presented and then presented me; then all
withdrew except his Majesty. He is a splendid-looking
man, was in full uniform and covered with jewelled
orders and stars. He was most gracious, and said he
had the most friendly feeling toward the United States.
He added that he feared his intervention would be of
little use — that he had made three attempts since he had
been here, but that "England will not admit a third
party to interfere in her disputes with you." This he
said on account of our former Colonial relations, which
are not forgotten. He also expressed an opinion with
regard to the conditions of peace, saying: "The difficulty
will be with England." He also spoke of Madame de
Stael as a woman of "great brain and courage." He
congratulated father on being her cousin. Father
expressed his deep gratitude to his Majesty for granting
him an audience, and the gratitude of the United States
for the interest and friendship he had shown. As we
withdrew he patted me on the head and said, "You
are rather young to be in diplomacy."
I wore a suit of Chinese nankeen, white silk stockings,
high white choker, with a breast-pin of seed-pearls mother
gave me before I left home. They call my hair auburn —
I call it red. I am afraid I looked very young.
Poor Mr. Levitt Harris was furious at not being present,
but the Emperor's order was "Monsieur GaUatin et
son fits."

JUNE 19: LONDON. SUNDAY

Copied note which the Emperor gave father permission
to send. The latter does not think it will have any
effect. The illuminations last night were very fine — ^far
surpassing anything I have ever seen. Although father
is an "Envoy Extraordinary" here, his position is of
such a delicate nature that it is impossible for him to
accept any public invitations.

1814] DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN

JUNE 20

Lord Castlereagh informed father that the English

Mission will start on July 1 for Ghent. . . .

JUNE «1

We leave to-morrow for Ghent by way of Paris, where we

will remain for a week if possible. • . •

JUNE «6: PARIS, SUNDAY

We arrived at five o'clock to-day.

JUNE 27

Father had a long visit from General de Lafayette,
accompanied by Baron Humboldt.* They were both
much pleased that he had had an interview with the
Emperor Alexander, but both agree with him that they
fear now Russian mediation will be of little use. • • .

JUNE 29

I saw the King to-day driving in state . . . went to

the Franfais in the evening — Racine's PhMre very fine.

The King and other members of the Royal Family were

present.

JUNE 80

I went to Versailles to-day. What memories it awakens,
particularly the Petit Trianon 1 I do not think there is
a palace in the world to equal Versailles. I shut my eyes
and conjured up Louis XIV and his Court with all its
splendours. I was accompanied by a son of the Due de la
Rochefoucauld D'Enville. He is most interesting, and
told me many quaint episodes of history. One which
impressed and amused me was that when the Electress
Sophia, "mother of George I," came on one occasion to
visit her sister, the Duchesse d'0rl6ans, on taking leave
of the Queen, etiquette required that she should only
raise the skirt of the Queen's robe and kiss it, being only
^ Baron Humboldti bom 1767, died 1835. Statesman and Author.

DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN (1814

an electress. The Queen, to avoid her doing this, stepped
behind a chair, and the electress kissed the chair.

JULY 1

We leave to-morrow for Ghent by easy stages as father

is not feeling very well. . . .

JULY 7: GHENT, THURSDAY

We arrived here to-day and are lodged very comfortably

in the Hotel d' Alcantara, corner of the Rue des Champs.

Ghent looks clean and cheerful. The inhabitants speak

only Flemish. All seem employed in commerce. There

is an English garrison here; the uniforms make the

streets very bright.

They call private residences hdiels in this country. The

house is large and all the delegates are to lodge here.

JULY 9

No news of the English Mission.

JULY 15

Nothing to do. Mr. Adams in a very bad temper.
Mr. Clay annoys him. Father pours oil on the troubled
waters. I am now reading a history of the Low Coun-
tries. . . . The women are so ugly here. . . .
We had waffles for breakfast — it reminded me of home.
It seems they are an old Dutch dish. • • .

AUGUST 7

At last! The British Mission arrived this afternoon.
We heard they were coming and I actually saw them ar-
rive. They are lodged in a fine Carthusian monastery. . . •

AUGUST 8

To-day was the first meeting. The British Commissioners,

as a base of discussion re the treaty — demanded that the

Indian tribes should have the whole of the North- Western

Territory.

18141 DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN

This comprises the States of Michigan, Wisconsin, and
Illinois — four-fifths of Indiana and the third of Ohio.
That an Indian sovereignty should be constituted under
the guarantee of Great Britain: this is to protect Canada.
Father mildly suggested that there were more than a
hundred thousand American citizens settled in these
States and territories. The answer was: "They must
look after themselves." Father is not impressed with
the British delegates. They are Lord Gambier, Henry
Goulburn/ and William Adams — men who have not
made any mark and have no influence or weight. He
attaches but little importance to them as they are but
the puppets of Lords Castlereagh and Liverpool. Father
feels he is quite capable of dealing with them. . . .

AUGUST 9

The other demands are of little importance. They
consist of Sackett's Harbour and Fort Niagara, so as to
have control of the lakes. But all this means the dis-
memberment of the United States. . . .
Father drafted the rejection of the British "Sine qua non."

AUGUST 10

Father finds greater difficulty with his own colleagues.
The accident which placed him at the foot of the Com-
mission placed Mr. Adams at the head of it. Messrs.
Clay, Bayard, and Russell let Mr. Adams plainly know
that, though he might be the nominal mouthpiece,
Gallatin was their leader. Clay uses strong language to
Adams, and Adams returns the compliment. Father
looks calmly on with a twinkle in his eye. To-day there
was a severe storm, and father said, "Gentlemen,
gentlemen, we must remain united or we will fail. . . ."

♦Henry Goulbum (1784^1856). Member for Horsham, 1808.
Under Secretary for Home Afifairs, 1810. Under Secretary for War,
1812. Chancellor of the Exchequer to the Duke of Wellington, 1828.
Home Secretary, 1835. He was elected member for Cambridge
University in 1831.

DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN [1814

AUGUSl 11

Mr. Adams insisted upon drafting the first dispatch
to-day and submitted to the others for a revision. Mr.
Bayard used it simply as a foundation for his own draft;
after quarrelling they referred to father. He put it into
shape, and after endless discussion all the Commissioners
ended by adopting it. After this father drafted all other
dispatches. He wishes all dispatches to be without any
offence to the feeling of the English delegates.

AUGUST 1«

He fears negotiations will soon come to an end and has
but little hope; he does not think the British Govern-
ment wish to make peace or they would have sent more
powerful delegates.

AUGUST 20

To-day I copied a private note from him to Mr. Monroe:
''We will not remain here long, the position is untena-
ble; I am preparing for departure. Our negotiations
may be considered at an end. Great Britain wants
war in order to cripple us; she wants aggrandisement
at our expense. I do not expect to be longer than
three months in Europe.""

Still lingering on and nothing arrived at. We are k^t
in absolute ignorance of the cause of the delay. It is
most galling. It seems Mr. Goulburn does everything
to obstruct matters. This may be to gain time to receive
his orders from Lord Castlereagh. . . .

AUGUST «1

We all dine at the Intendant's to-day, the delegates of
both sides.

They always entertain here on Sunday — how different
from London 1 It is the gayest day. The working people
have a cheerful holiday; in London they show joy by
getting drunk. . • .

1814] DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN

AUGUST ««

Mr. Clay sat next to Mr. Goulburn; he told father
afterwards that he had decidedly made Goulburn
understand that we intended to await further instructions
from America. Mr. Bayard also had a long conversation
after dinner with Mr. Goulburn, but he said he made
no impression. • . .

AUGUST 28

Lord Castlereagh arrived here to-day on his way to Vienna.

AUGUST 24

He had a long conference with his delegates, after which
he saw father, and was most gracious. I was present.
He said he had written to Lord Liverpool. . . .

AUGUST 26

Father much fears that Mr. Adams will do harm. • . •

SEPTEMBER S

Father is much annoyed with Mr. Goulburn. He
saw him to-day. The latter said: "I don't think you
have the slightest intention of making peace." Father
answered: "Surely you cannot mean thisl Why
should I have taken the long journey to Russia in 1813
and given up everything else in the one hope of making
peace?"

SEPTEMBER 4

We have given notice to our landlord and intend leaving
on October 1. Father is quite convinced that Mr.
Goulburn has made some serious mistakes and that he
has been reprimanded.

SEPTEMBER 5

A note from Lord Bathurst: the pith of it is that it
would be more becoming on the part of the United States

DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN [1814

to agree to surrender the Lakes to England and the
North-West Territory to the Indians. . . .

SEPTEMBER 9

Mr. Adams drafted a long reply to it, which he submitted
to father, who did not approve of it as it would only
add fuel to the fire. He wrote his own reply, and for a
wonder Mr. Adams approved of it. • • •

SEPTEMBER 15

There is a continual passing of notes and we still are no
nearer a solution. Father is getting rather despondent,
but only shows this to me, keeping a cheerful and hopeful
demeanour before the others. The Indian Territory
question is a great difficulty. Father says if the Indians
were included in the peace — and to be in the same position
as they were — our Government would break oflF negotia-
tions. He was of opinion that it would be folly to break
up negotiations on that account.

England could not now retreat from the position she
had taken up with regard to the Indian Territory with
dignity. • • •

SEPTEMBER SO

Father has drafted a reply to the British note. It is
to this end, that they were willing to recognize the
Indians as an independent nation; they refused to
allow them to be included in the treaty in any manner,
although they would be allowed their old rights and
privileges. . • •

SEPTEMBER 26

The note was signed to-day and sent to Washington.
Mr. Goulbum came to see father. He was most gracious
and informed him he relied on his tact and good sense
that he could treat with him; in fact, that he was not
the least like an American. I do not know if father

1814] DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN

was pleased or not. He says the only Americans are
the Red Indians. . . .

SEPTEMBER 80

It seems that Lord Liverpool wishes the offer of the
Indian amnesty proffered to be accepted. Lord Bathurst
is of the same mind. At last a slight ray of hope that
there may be a happy termination.

OCTOBERS

It is now thought advisable to call for a projet of a
treaty. Mr. Clay has insisted upon drafting the American
reply himself. . . .

OCTOBER 22

The British Commissioners sent a note yesterday; the
pith of it is that the basis of tUi passidetia be admitted
and that they would treat on that basis alone. . . •

OCTOBER 24

I copied a short note to-day which was sent to the
British Commissioners, drafted by father. It was to
the effect that they would not treat on the basis of
tUi possidetis but only on the basis of stattu quo ante
bellum, with regard to territory, also asking for a British
projet. • • .

OCTOBER 29

We are all hard at work framing our projet. It is a most
difficult task, as both Mr. Adams and Mr. Clay object
to everything except what they suggest themselves.
Father remains calm but firm and does all he can to keep
peace. The articles on impressment, blockade, and
indemnities are assigned to Mr. Adams; the boundaries
and fisheries to father.

OCTOBER 80

Father to-day drew up an article re American rights to

fish in British waters and British rights to navigate the

DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN 11814

Mississippi, which were confirmed by the treaty of 1783.
Mr. Clay objected to them. A long and angry discussion
ensued. One question was, what were the fisheries
worth? The other the value of the navigation of the
Mississippi. Father wishes to save the fisheries; Mr.
Clay would not assent to anything. • • •

NOVEMBER 8

This drafting still goes on — endless discussions and violent
arguments which I can see father thinks futile, but he
never loses patience.

NOVEMBER 5

A vote to-day on father's proposed articles. Mr. Clay

and Mr. Russell opposed it; father, Mr. Adams, and

Mr. Bayard approved.

So the articles were inserted in the prqjet. We are

getting a little more into shape. • • •

NOVEMBER?

Father is doubtful if the questions of the fisheries and
the Mississippi were not made permanent by the treaty
of 1783.

NOVEMBER 10

The prqjet signed to-day and sent. The fisheries and
Mississippi navigation left out.

NOVEMBER 12

We have to wait patiently for an answer, as all has to be

submitted to the superiors in London.

NOVEMBER 26

The British corUre-^ojet sent to-day; no allusions to
the fishery question. A clause claiming free navigation
of the Mississippi. . . .

1814] DIARY OP JAMES GALLATIN

NOVEMBER 28

A dreadful day. Angry disputes on the conire-projel.
Father wishes the clause re the Mississippi accepted.
Mr. Clay would not hear of it. Mr. Adams in opposition
to Mr. Clay. Nothing arrived at. . . .

NOVEMBER 28

To-day father received a private dispatch from the
Duke of Wellington. I have only just seen it. It is
marked "Strictly confidential." It is couched in the
most friendly terms, assuring father he has brought all
his weight to bear to ensure peace. He goes on to say:
"As I gather, Mr. Madison as well as Mr. Monroe gave
you full power to act, without even consulting your
colleagues on points you considered of importance. I
now feel that peace is shortly in view. Mr. Goulbum
has made grave errors and Lord Castlereagh has read
him a sharp lesson."

Father burnt this dispatch and does not even know
that I have recorded it. I wanted to copy it, and was
doing so when he took it off the table and burned it. • • •

NOVEMBER 29

Father's proposition to accept the Mississippi clause
after prolonged discussion was carried with a clause
containing the taking, drying, and curing of fish, aa
secured by the former Treaty of Peace.

DECEMBER 7

An answer refusing to accept this proposition received
to-day. More discussion, everlasting bickering, and
matters delayed. Father can no longer support Mr.
Adams; he has tried his patience too far.

DECEMBER 12

Another private note from the Duke of Wellington

assuring father of his support. He says: "Pray do

DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN [1814

not take offence at what I say. In you I have the
greatest confidence. I hear on all sides that your modera-
tion and sense of justice, together with your good common
sense, places you above all the other delegates, not except-
ing ours. The Emperor Alexander has assured me of
this. He says we can place absolute reliance in your
word. I have always had the greatest admiration for
the country of your birth. You are a foreigner with
all the traditions of one fighting for the peace and welfare
of the country of your adoption."
Father, I think, was pleased. He is a foreigner and is
proud of it. • • •

DECEMBER 22

An answer to-day. The fisheries and Mississippi clauses
to be withdrawn and to be referred to further negotia-
tions. It would be withdrawn so as not to be mentioned
in the treaty.

Father now sees clearly the avowed wish of the English
Government to make peace. • . •

DECEMBER 24

The treaty was signed to-day in the refectory of the
monastery. Later on there was a solemn service in the
cathedral; it was most impressive. We all attended as
well as the Intendant, all the oflScers and the high officials
of Ghent.

CHRISTMAS DAY

The British delegates very civilly asked us to dinner.
The roast beef and plum pudding was from England,
and everybody drank everybody else's health. The
band played first "God Save the King,"" to the toast of
the King, and "Yankee Doodle," to the toast of the
President. Congratulations on all sides and a general
atmosphere of serenity; it was a scene to be remembered.

18151 DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN

God grant there may be always peace between the
two nations. I never saw father so cheerful; he was in
high spirits, and his witty conversation was much
appreciated.

DECEMBER 27

We have now to wait for the ratification of the treaty.
Indeed, I find it a great rest for me. I have copied
all father's letters as well as all the important ones that
he has received. Although I am only seventeen years of
age, I feel much older. Mr. Adams has shown great
kindness to me. At first I did not like him, but now will
be sorry when we part.

JANUARY 1, 1815

I have enjoyed the last week very much. Ghent is en

fHe, dancing nearly every night. . . .

JANUARYS

The ratification of the treaty completed to-day. A great
banquet offered by the town of Ghent takes place to-night.
Poor father is not looking forward to it. . . .

JANUARY 9

The banquet was very fine, lasting over five hours —
speeches, nothing but speeches and toasts. Father said
but a few words, but they were carefully chosen and
seemed to go to the hearts of all. He spoke in French
and ended in a most witty strain.

JANUARY 10

We are leaving now as soon as possible for Geneva. • • •

The foUowing leUera are of iniereet ae a tribuU to the pari played by
Albert OaUaiin in the condueum of the Treaty of Ghent

£^^;/^KtaiaiSr---^^

s^^^^aSK

■ "A

Ss-S^^^i

T
^

DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN [1815

MADAME DE STAfiL io ALBERT GAIXAHN"

CoppsT, Suisse, Pats de Vaxtd,
Ce 81 Juillei, 1814

Vous m'avez permis de vous demander si vous avez
quelque succds heureux ft esp^rer de votre mission.
Mandez-moi k cet Igard, my dear Sir, tout ce qu'il vous
est permis de me dire. Je suis inquidte d'un mot de
Lord Castlereagh sur la dur^e de la guerre et je ne
m'explique pas pourquoi il a dit qu'il gtait de Tint^rSt
de TAngleterre que le Congrds de Vienne s'ouvrtt plus
tard. C'est vous, Amerique, qui m'int^resse avant tout
maintenant, k part de mes affaires p6cuniaires. Je vous
trouve ft present les opprim6s du parti de la liberty et
je vois en vous la cause qui m'attachait ft I'Angleterre il
y a un an. On souhaite beaucoup de vous voir ft Geneve
et vous y trouverez la R^publique telle que vous Tavez
laiss6e, seulement elle est moins liberale car la mode est
ainsi maintenant en Suisse. Aussi les vieux aristocrates
se reinvent et se remettent ft combattre, en oubliant,
comme les grants de I'Arioste, qu'ils sont d^jft morts.

* MADAME DE STA£L io ALBERT GALLATIN

CopPET, Suisse, Pats de Vaud,
Jyly 31, 1814
You gave me perminion to ask what hopes you have of the success
of your mission. Let me know, my dear sir, all that you are permitted
to tell me. I am disturbed by a word that Lord Castlereagh let drop
about the duration of the war, and I cannot understand why he said
that it was to England's interest that the opening of the Congress of
Vienna should be postponed.

It is above all in you — America — ^that I am interested now apart
from the question of my finances. I find you at the moment the
oppressed champions of liberty, and it is in you that I find the same
cause that attached me to England a year ago.

Every one is very anxious to see you at Geneva, and you will find
the Republic there the same as you left it; only it is less liberal — ^for
that is the fashion at the moment in Switzerland. The old aristocrats

18151 DIARY OP JAMES GALLATIN

J'espdre que la raison triomphera, et quand on vowi
connait on trouve cette raison si spirituelle qu'elle semble
la plus forte. Soyez pacifique cependant et sacrifiez
aux circonstances. Vous devez vous ennuyer k Gand et
je voudrais profiter pour causer avec vous de tout le
temps que vous y perdez. Avez-vous quelques com-
missions k faire ft Geneve et voulez-vous me donner le
plaisir de vous y 6tre utile en quelque chose? Mille
compliments empresses.

N. DE Sta&l-holstein.

Vous savez que M. Sismondi vous k lou6 dans son
discours k St. Pierre.

MADAME DE STAlL to ALBERT GALLATIN *

Pabis, Rus de Gbbnellb St. Gebmain» No. 105
SO SepUmbre, 1814

Je vous ai ficrit de Coppet, my dear Sir, et je n'ai
point eu de r^ponse. Je crains que ma lettre ne vous

too are riaing, and entering the arena again, forgetting like Ariosto's
giants that they are already dead. I hope Reason will triumph, and to
one who knows you, she bears a quality so noble and high-minded that
her strength appears supreme. Strive for peace, nevertheless, and be
guided by circumstances. You must be wearied at Ghent, and I
would fain have the opportunity of passing in converse with you all
the time that you are losing there. Have you any commissions that
you wish executed at Geneva? If so, pray give me the pleasure of
doing you some service.
A thousand compliments.

N. DB STAttli-HOLBTBIN.

You have doubtless heard that M. Sismondi sang your praises in
his speech at St. Pierre.

* MADAME DE STA£L to ALBERT GALLATIN

Paris, Rxtb db Grbnbllb St. GBBiCAm, lOS,
SejUember 30.
I WBOTB to you from Coppet, my dear Sir, and I have not had any
answer from you. I fear my letter has never reached you. Will you

DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN [1815

8oit pas parvenue. Soyez assez bon pour me dire ce
que V0U8 pouvez me dire sur la vente de mes fonds en
Amerique. Je suis si inquidte que I'idSe me venait
d'envoyer mon fils en Amerique pour tirer ma fortune
de Ik. Songez qu'elle y est presque toute entidre^ c'est
k dire que j'y ai quinze cents mille francs, soit en terres
soit en fonds publiques, soit chez les banquiers. Soyez
aussi assez bon pour me dire si vous restez a Gand. Mon
fils en allant en Angleterre pourrait passer par chez vous
donner mes nouvelles de Paris.

Enfin je vous prie de m'accorder quelques lignes sur
tout ce qui m'int^resse. Vous pouvez compter sur ma
discretion et sur ma reconnaissance^ et je m6rite peut-
£tre quelque bienviellance par mes efforts pour vous
servir.

Lord Wellington pretend que je ne le vois jamais sans
le prober sur TAmerique. Vous savez de quelle haute
consideration je suis p6netr6e pour votre esprit et votre
caractdre. Mille compliments.

N. DE Stael-holstein.

be good enough to tell me all you can about the sale of my property
in America. I am so anxious that I thought of sending my son to
America to withdraw my fortime from that coimtry. Remember that
nearly the whole of it is there, that is to say some fifteen hundred
thousand francs, in land and public funds or at my bankers.

Be good enough also to tell me if you remain at Ghent. My son
could go to see you on his way to England and give you my news from
Paris. Lastly, I beg of you to send me a few lines on an3rthing that
interests me; you can coimt on my discretion and gratitude — and
I deserve perhaps some kindness for the efforts I have made to serve
you.

Lord Wellington pretends that I never see him without preaching
to him on the subject of America.

I need not tell you how much I admire your wit and your character.
A thousand compliments.

N. DB Sta£l-hol8TBIN.

1815] DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN

ALBERT GALLATIN to MADAME DE STAEL-HOLSTEIN*

Gand, 4 Octobre, 1814
Ce n'est que hier, my dear Madam, que j'ai re^u
votre lettre du 23 Septembre; eelle que vous m'aviez
fait le plaisir de m'6crire de Coppet m'6tait bien par-
venue; mais malgr6 la parfaite confiance que vous
m'avez inspir6e, il 6tait de mon devoir de ne rien laisser
transpirer de nos n6gociations; et j'esp6rais tous. les
jours pouvoir vous annoncer le lendemain quelque chose
de positive. Nous sommes toujours dans le mfime 6tat
d'incertitude, mais il me paratt impossible que cela
puisse durer longtemps, et je vous promets que vous
serez la premiere instruite du r6sultat. Malgr6 les
fftcheux auspices sous lesquels nous avions commenc6 i
traiter, je n'avais point perdu I'espfirance de pouvoir
r6ussir. H faut cependant convenir que ce qui s'est
pass6 i la prise de Washington pent faire nattre de
nouveaux obstacles i la paix. Une incursion momen-
tan6e et la destruction d'un Arsenal et d'un frigate ne
sont qu'une bagatelle; mais faire sauter ou briller les
palais du Congrds et du Prfoident, et les bureaux des
diff^rents d6partements c'est un acte de Vandalisme dont

•LETTER OF ALBERT GALLATIN to MADAME
DE 8TAEL-H0LSTEIN

Ghent, October 4, 1814.
It was only yesterday, my dear Madam, that I received your letter
of September 30. The one that you were kind enough to write from
Coppet reached me safely. But in spite of the perfect confidence
with which you inspire me it was my duty not to let an3rthing transpire
of our negotiations, and I had hopes every day that on the morrow
I should have some definite news to give to you. We are always in
the same state of uncertainty, but it seems to me impossible that this
can continue for long, and I promise you that you shall be the first to
hear of the result. Despite the unpropitious auspices under which
we began to treat, I have never lost hope that we shall succeed in
the end. It must however be admitted that what took place at the
capture of Washington may bring forth further obstacles in the way

DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN [1815

la guerre de vingt ans en Europe depuis les frontidres
de la Russie jusqu'i Paris et de eelles du Danemarc
jusqu'i Naples, n'offre aucun exemple, et qui doit n6ces-
sairement exasp6rer les esprits. Est-ce parceque &
rexception de quelques cath^drales, TAngleterre n'avait
aucun Edifice public qui pAt leur £tre compare? Ou
serait-ce pour consoler la populace de la cit6 de Londres
de ce que Paris n^a 6t6 ni pill6 ni brilI6?

Tout en vous disant cela, je ne me plains point de la
conduite des Anglais, qui, si la guerre continue, loin de
nous nuire n'aura servi qu'& unir et animer la nation.
Sous ce point de vue, la manidre dont on nous fait la
guerre doit pleinement rassurer ceux qui avaient des
craintes mal fondles sur la permanence de notre union
et de notre Gouvernement F6deratif. Et il n'y a qu'une
dissolution totale qui puisse renverser nos finances et
nous faire manquer Sl nos engagements.

Je comprends cependant fort bien que lorsqu'on n'est
pas Americain, Ton d^sirerait dans ce moment avoir sa
fortune ailleurs que dans ce pays 1&; je puis avoir des
pr6]uges trop favorables et ne voudrais aucunement vous
induire en erreur.

Mais il me semble que vendre vos fonds & 15 ou 20

of peace. A sudden raid and the destruction , of an Arsenal and a
frigate are a mere trifle, but to blow up and bum the House of Congress
and the President's Palace, and the offices of the various departments,
is an act of vandalism to which the Twenty Years' War in Europe,
a war that extended from the Russian frontier to Paris, and from
Denmark to Naples, cannot offer a parallel, and which must neces-
sarily embitter the temper. Was it because, with the possible exception
of a few cathedrals, England has not a single building that can compare
with them, or was it to console the populace of the city of London for
the fact that Paris was neither sacked nor burnt?

All the same I am not complaining at all of the conduct of the
English, which, far from hurting us, will, if the war continues, only
serve to unite and to animate our country. From this point of view
their manner of conducting the war must amply reassure all who
cherished groundless fears for the permanence of our Union and our
Federal Government. And nothing short of a total rupture can upset
our finances and make us fail in our engagements. Notwithstanding

1815] DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN

pour cent de perte en serait un sacrifice inutile. Us
tomberont probablement encore plus si la guerre con-
tinue^ mais les int^rfits seront toujours fiddlement pay^s
et le capital sera au pair six mois apr^s la paix. Nous
nous sommes tirfo d'une bien plus mauvaise situation.
A la fin de la guerre de Tindependance nous n'avions ni
finances ni Gouvernement; notre population ne s'61evait
qu'& environ trois millions et demi, la nation 6tait extrfime-
ment pauvre^ la dette publique 6tait presqu'6gale i ce
qu'elle est actuellement; les fonds perdaient de 80 &
85 pour cent. Nous n'avons cependant pas fait faillite;
nous n'avons pas r^uit la dette & un tiers par un trait
de plume; avec de Tficonomie et surtout de la probity,
nous avons fait face i tout, remis tout au pair, et pendant
les dix ann6es qui avaient pr6c6d6 la guerre actuelle
nous avions pay6 la moiti6 du capital de notre ancienne
dette.

Au milieu de toutes nos factions, n'importe quel parti
ait gouvem6, le mSme esprit les a toujours animfo k cet
6gard. Le m£me esprit regne encore; nous sommes trds

I understand that one who is not an American would prefer to have
his fortune at the present moment elsewhere than in that country;
I may myself be somewhat prejudiced and under no circumstances
would I wish to mislead you. But it is my personal opinion that to
sell your investments at a loss of 15 to 20 per cent, would be a useless
sacrifice. They will probably fall still further if the war continues,
but the interest will always be faithfully paid and the capital will be
back at par six months after peace is made. We extricated ourselves
from a worse position than the present. At the end of the War of
Independence we had neither money nor government; our population
did not amount to more than three and a half millions, the country
was extremely poor, the national debt was nearly as large as it is at
present, and the Funds fell 80 to 85 per cent. Nevertheless we did
not go bankrupt, we did not by a stroke of the pen reduce our debt
to a third. By economy and, above all, by honesty, we met every
obligation, restored all to par value, and in the course of the ten years
that preceded the present war paid off half of the capital of our original
debt.

In the midst of all our party differences, no matter which party was
in power, the same spirit as regards finance has always animated our

DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN [1815

riches; nous 6tions huit millions d'ames au commence-
ment de la guerre, et la population augmente de deux cent
cinquante mille ames par an. I^i je n'ai pas entidrement
m^connu TAmerique, ses ressources et la morality de sa
politique, je ne me trompe pas en croyant ses fonds
publics plus solides que ceux de toutes les puissances
Europ6ennes. Si cependant vous avez peur, attendez
du moins la conclusion de nos nggociations; vous n'avez
pas le temps de faire vendre avant cette £poque. Je
serai au reste encore quinze jours au moins & Gand et
donnerai avec grand plaisir i M. votre fils tous les ren-
seignements en mon pouvoir s'il passe par ici en allant
en Angleterre. Je suis tr^s sensible Sl tout ce que vous
avez fait pour fitre utile i, I'Am^rique; je sens encore
plus combien je vous dois; vous m'avez re9U et acceuilli
comme si j'eusse 6t6 une ancienne connaissance. Avant
de vous cbnnattre je respectais en vous Madame de Stael
et la fiUe de Madame Necker, aux 6crits et & I'exemple de
qui j'ai plus d'obligation que je ne puis exprimer. Mais
je vous avouerai que j'avais grand peur de vous; une
femme tris £l£gante et aimable et le premier g6nie de
son sexe; Ton tremblerait Sl moins; vous eutes Si peine

country. The same spirit reigns still. We are very wealthy; at the
beginning of the war our population stood at eight million souls and
it increases at the rate of 250,000 souls every year. If I have not
utterly misunderstood America, her resources and her political morality,
then I am right in believing that her public funds are as good a security
as those of any Power in Europe. If you are still afraid, at least
await the conclusion of these negotiations. You have not time to
sell before. I shall be staying at Ghent for another fortnight at least,
and will be happy to give your son all the information in my power,
if he passes by here on his way to England. I am very sensible of all
the help that you have given to America; and am yet more sensible
of what I owe to you personally. You received and welcomed me
as if I was an old acquaintance. Before I knew you I respected in
you, Madame de Sta^l, the daughter of Madame Necker, to whose
writings and example I am under a deeper obligation than I am able
to express. But I will confess that I was very much afraid of you.
Before a woman so elegant and so amiable, and the greatest genius of
her sex— one could not but tremble. You had hardly opened your lipe

1815] DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN

ouvert les Idvres que je fus rassurfi, et en moins de cinq
minutes je me sentis aupr^s de vous comme avec ime
amie de vingt ans. Je n'aurais fait que vous admirer,
mais votre bont6 6gale vos talents et c'est pour cela que
je vous aime. Agr^z-en, je vous prie, Tassurance et
soyez sure du plaisir que me procurerait I'occasion de
pouvoir vous Hre bon k quelque chose.

Albert Gallatin.

ALEXANDER VON HUMBOLDT to ALBERT GALLATIN

Je n'ai pas 6t6 assez heureux pour vous trouver ce
matin, mon illustre ami. J'aurais bien d6sir£ cependant
vous parler de mon attachement constant et tendre, de
mon vif int^rSt pour la paix que vous avez eu la gloire
de conclure dans des circonstances difficiles. J'aurais
voulu vous f6Iiciter sur cette belle et noble defense de la
Nouvelle-Orl6ans qui fera respecter les arm^s de la
Libert^. Comme les flottes qui voguent sous votre
pavilion se sont couvertes de gloire depuis longtempsi
Que dans ces temps malheureux mes yeux se fixent avec
attendrissement sur ces contr^s qui seront bientdt le
centre de la civilisation humainel Je ferais d'autres
tentatives pour vous trouver et recommander de nouveau
Mr. Warden, mon ami et celui de Messrs. Berthollet,
Thenard, Gay Lussac, et de tout ce qui aime les sciences.
Je ne puis croire qu'un homme aussi instruit, aussi doux,
aussi honnfite, aussi attach^ aux Etats-Unis, Si M. Jeffer-
son et aux doctrines vertueuses puisse Stre rejett^
par votre gouvernement. Je supplie Madame Gallatin
d'agr6er Thommage de mon respecteux devouement.

before my confidence returned, and after five minutes in your company
I felt that I had been your friend for twenty years. My admiration
was yours in any case. But finding your kindness is only equalled
by your talents, I cannot but love you. Accept, I pray you, my
assurance of this, and believe me when I say that it will sJways be a
pleasure to me to serve you in any way within my power.

Ai^BBT Gallatin.
44

DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN [1815

Quel contraste entre cette ^poque et celle o& vous me
vites k Londres ennuy£ des "Magnanimous Souverains
et de la croisade des h^rosT' *

Humboldt.

QuAi Malaquaib, No. 3.
Jeudi.

♦ALEXANDER VON HUMBOLDT to ALBERT GALLATIN

I HAD not the pleasure of finding you this morning, my noble friend.
Nevertheleas I would fain have spoken with you of my constant and
sincere attachment and of my keen interest in the peace which you
have had the honour to conclude under the most difficult circumstances.
I would have liked to congratulate you on your fine and courageous
defence of New Orleans, which will gain respect for the armies of
Liberty. The fleets which sail under your Flag have indeed for long
covered themselves with glory. How tenderly in these unhappy times
my eyes gaxe on the countries so soon to be the centre of the civiliza-
tion of the world. I would make other attempts to find you and to
recommend again to your notice Mr. Warden, my friend and the
friend of Messieurs BerthoUet, Thenard and Gay Lussac, as indeed he is
of every friend of learning. I cannot believe that a man so full of
learning, so gentle and so honourable, so firm a friend of the United
States, of Mr. Jefferson and his virtuous doctrines, can be rejected
by your Government.

I entreat Madame Gallatin to accept the expression of my respectful
homage and devotion.

What a contrast this period presents to the time when you saw me
in London, weary of the Magnanimous Sovereigns and the Heroes'
Crusade.

Humboldt.

3 QuAi Malaquaib,
Thursday.

PART II

PROM THE CONCLUSION OP THE TREATY OP GHENT
TO THE SIGNATURE OF THE TREATY OP COMMERCE

JANUARY— JULY 1815

JANUARY «0. 1815: GENEVA

We arrived here to-day. Father was very excited^ as it
was his first visit to his native land after so many years
absence.

We went direct to the Gallatin House. The entrance is
in the CiiS, a steep narrow lane paved with small round
cobble-stones. The house faces on the Rue de la Corratrie.
It is very fine, and belongs to Monsieur Naville,.who
married the daughter and heiress of Count Paul Michael
de Gallatin, who was the head of the family. Our c^at-
of-arms in stone used to be high up over the door, but
during the Revolution some miscreants destroyed it,
leaving only the two lions the supporters.

JANtARY 21

Crowds of visitors all day to welcome father. Madame
de Stagl came from Coppet. She is not handsome, but
such a great charm of manner. She was oddly dressed,
seeming to have one or two skirts on top of the other, a
great pelisse of green cloth lined with sable, on her head
a high green caliche. She invited both father and myself
to pay her a visit at Coppet. She is not tall, rather fat,
and has coarse features but splendid eyes.

DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN [1815

JANUARY 22

This morning the Syndics came in a body to greet
father and to congratulate him on the successful termina-
tion of the Peace with England. Then Monsieur Sismondi*
made a discours full of laudation of father, much to
the latter's annoyance. After they withdrew Benjamin
Constant was announced; he rushed up to father, seized
him in his arms, and kissed him on both cheeks. There
was some excuse for him as he is a relation of ours.
Large dinner of forty at 3 o'clock, nearly all rela-
tives — Navilles, Saladins, Sellons, Sarrasins, Humberts,
Diodatis, de Bud6s, Pictets, LuUins, &c. &c. I was
much struck with their great simplicity and dignity of
manner; it was all a revelation to me. The ladies were
very plainly dressed with hardly any jewels. So odd,
they never change your knife and fork after the fish is
served, but have little silver rests by each plate for them.
The dinner lasted two hours and a half.
After escorting the ladies to the drawing-room — where
all the women kissed their hostess, then kissed each
other, and we men kissed their hands. All this was done
in a most solemn and dignified manner — then our host,
knowing father's habit, conducted him with some of the
other guests to the library to smoke.
Father smokes regularly eleven strong cigars a day.
After about an hour we, adjourned to the large gallery.
All the ladies were seated stiffly around the room. Only
one person talked at a time. It is called a saion. It was
interesting at first, but after three hours of it I wished
myself in Paris. At 9 o'clock supper was announced. • • •

JANUARY 28

All day paying visits; a quiet evening.

JANUARY 24

We go on a tour of visits, starting on the 26th. I am in
love with Geneva, it is so beautiful although it is winter;

* J. C. L. Sismondi, bom 1773, died 1842, a Genevan and famous
hiBionaQ.

1815] DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN

they tell me I must see it in summer. A large supper
to-night — other members of our family and relations,
together with Monsieur de Lavalette and Monsieur
Bonstetten. . . •

JANUARY 25

A very tiring day, paying visits in the morning. From
5 till 7 o'clock one deputation followed the other to greet
father. I think he was bored; I know I was. • • •

JANUARY 26

We started at 10 o'clock and arrived at Chfiteau de
Rozay, near RoUe. My grandmother was a Mile Rolaz
du Rozay. The ch&teau is small with turrets, very
old and very comfortable. My two du Rozay cousins,
who are about my age, are immensely tall and broad in
proportion, one being 6 ft. 4 in., the other an inch taller.
It seems that they are always hunting chamois in the
mountains. I feel like a dwarf next to them. A portrait
of my grandmother as a girl, not pretty; but one of her
sisters who married a Prussian, Count Doenhoff, is quite
lovely; she was Mistress of the Robes to the Queen of
Prussia and a famous beauty. . . .

JANUARY 28: CHATEAU DE ROZAY

We leave here to-morrow and go to the Ch&teau

d'Allaman.

JANUARY 20: ALLAMAN

Allaman, on the Lake Leman, belongs to Count Sellon
(his mother was a Gallatin). A beautiful castle, filled
with Gobelin tapestry and furniture; one room all pink
tapestry. We dined in the chapel — 60 ft. long and
30 ft. wide, stone floor. • • .

JANUARY 80

The family are charming — four daughters, all young.

DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN [1815

The youngest is named Hortense. The Queen Hortense*
was her godmother. The latter has stopped for weeks at
AUaman. They have an authentic ghost here, not in
the house but in the park; I hope to see it before I
leave. It is in the form of a monk reading a book. He
is to be seen in one of the alleys of the wood approaching;
as you get quite close he vanishes. All the family have
seen it, as well as hundreds of others. Monsieur de Sellon
stations men with bill-hooks at various places to cut down
branches, as he thinks it but an opticid illusion. • . •

JANUARY 81

I saw the ghost at 12.30 to-day. It is certainly extra*
ordinary. They fired point-blank at it without any
effect. • • •

FEBRUARY 1

Too tired to write last night. A beautiful day, bright
sunshine. We have been skating all day. Our visit
terminates to-morrow. To-night a large supper in honour
of Joseph Bonaparte,t the ex-King of Spain, the eldest
brother of Napoleon. He lives at Prangins on the lake.
Monsieur de Sellon had a letter to-day from the Queen
Hortense — he read parts of it aloud to us. Evidently
she is in great trouble.

FEBRUARY 2

Joseph Bonaparte is handsome — acts as if he were still
King of Spain. He arrived with a large suite. We were
presented to him by the Count de Sellon before supper.
He had a long conversation with father on the state of
Europe. He is very rich. He spoke with much feeling

^ Hortense de Beauhamais, daughter of the Empress Josephine by
her first husband, married Louis Bonaparte Januaiy 3, 1802, was
Queen of Holland and mother of Napoleon III.

t Joseph, the eldest brother of Napoleon, bom 1768^ died 1844, was
King of Naples and King of Spain.

1815] DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN

of Napoleon. He married Julie Clary, the daughter of a
Marseilles tallow-chandler; she had some money. Father
does not like the Bonapartes or their entourage — says
Joseph Bonaparte shows his middle-class bringing up
both in speech and movements, that Napoleon is better
where he is. Although father is representing a republic
and believes in republics, he has a strong affection for
the House of Bourbon. We drove with four horses and
postillions to the Ch&teau de Veufflans, above Lausanne.
At the bottom of the hill two more horses were added,
sent by Monsieur de Senarclan. The names are so funny.
Veufflans is superb, built by the Reine Berthe in 1000.
It is in bad repair; it would cost over a million francs
to restore it. After we arrived a deputation presented
an address to father from Lausanne in the name of the
Canton de Vaud. . . .

FEBRUARY 8: VEUFFLANS

I went to-day to the Ch&teau de Chillon, near Vevey.
It is most interesting; such a wonderful position, built
out into the lake. It belonged to the Duke of Savoy.
Another dinner lasting two hours, some music, which
was a relief, then talk, talk, talk, and the usual trays
passed round, one closely following the other. I was
glad to get to bed. . . .

FEBRUARY 4

We go to-morrow to Sergy, which belongs to Monsieui^

Fictet, another relation. • . •

FEBRUARY 6

A beautiful house. Snowing hard all day. A very large

party but of little interest. • • .

FEBRUARY 6

We left here this morning in a most comfortable sleigh
for Coppet;'we had three relays of horses, the last sent

DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN [18W

by Madame de Stael. This ch&teau is charming — ^a
wonderful view of the lake and mountains^ the latter
covered with snow. A great many people stopping here.
We were very tired after our long cold drive. Madame
de Stael most kind and seems so genuinely glad to welcome
us. Mile Albertine de Stael, her daughter, is very pretty
and graceful; she is betrothed to the Due de Broglie.
He looks very untidy and dull but very much in love.
Auguste de Stael, her son, looked very serious. Monsieur
Benjamin Constant, Monsieur Sismondi, Due and
Duchesse de Duras, Due and Duchesse de Clermont-
Tonnerre (she is a sister of Monsieur de Sellon), and
Monsieur de Bonstetten are among the guests. Not
such a lopg dinner. Some music; then the Due de
Broglie and Mile de Stael, the Duchesse de Duras and
Monsieur de Montmorency, danced a minuet with great
dignity and grace. As I was very tired father asked
permission for me to retire, so I went to bed early.

FEBRUARY 7: COPPET

A delightful day. Up early. Had my cafi au lait when
I met de Broglie. He kindly proposed to go with me
and show me what was to be seen at Coppet. He improves
on acquaintance. DSjeuner at 11.30. Madame de Stael's
first appearance; she does all her correspondence and
writing in bed. She was most animated. Questioned
father about the proceedings at Ghent; congratulated
him, adding: "I had a letter from Milord Wellington
this morning. He praises you, saying you had used
great wisdom and tact." She told us some funny stories
about Madame Patterson Bonaparte, the American wife
of King Jerome, whose wit, beauty, and virtue she
extolled. One story was very funny.* She had given

*The page in the Diary on which this story is written had been
ruined by dampness. In 1869 my grandfather, thinking this was the
story, wrote it on a sheet of paper, pasting it over the ruined sheet.
His memory must have been at fault, as the incident must have oo-
cuired much later. EDnoB,

£1

1816] DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN

a dinner at her house in Geneva, to which Madame
Bonaparte was invited. Arriving very late, she delayed
serving the dinner for over half an hour. On one side
of her was a Mr. Dundas, a great gourmand, who was
much put out at having to wait. After the soup had
been served he turned to Madame Bonaparte and asked
her if she had read the book of Captain Basil Hall on
America. She replied in the affirmative. " Well, madame,
did you notice that Hall said all Americans are vid-
garians?" "Quite true,'' calmly answered Madame
Bonaparte, "I am not in the least surprised. If the
Americans had been the descendants of the Indians or
the Esquimaux there might have been some reason to
be astonished, but as they are the direct descendants of
the English it is perfectly natural that they should be
vulgarians." After this Mr. Dundas did not open his
mouth again and left at the first opportunity.
This afternoon we went out in Russian sledges, six
of them.

The Marquis of Huntly arrived, and we dined at 5 o'clock.
A most interesting evening — our hostess most brilliant.
She told us many episodes of the Revolution and the
part she had taken in it: how she had helped so many
of her friends to escape, having armed herself with pass-
ports of different nations; how Napoleon had persecuted
her. She also spoke most feelingly of her father with
tears in her eyes; it seems she adored him.

FEBRUARY 8: COPPET

The Marquis of Huntly* gave father a copy of a letter given
to him by Mr. Barry. It is an account of an interview
with Napoleon at Elba — most interesting. He first read
it aloud. Madame de Stael could hardly contain herself

^Marquis of Huntly, bom 1743, died 1827, afterward Duke of
Gordon. At the command of Louis XV he opened the ball at Versailles
with the Dauphiness, 1770, and in 1826, at the age of eighty-four, danced
with Madame de France, daughter of the Due de Berxi.

DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN [1815

and continually interrupted, exclaiming, "Cet animal;
on devrait lui tordre le cou.^' Lord Huntly says that
one of the reasons she hates Bonaparte so heartily is,
when she once asked him whom he considered the greatest
women in history he replied, ''The women who had
the most children." Madame de Stagl had only two.

COLONEL BABRY'S LETTER to THE MARQUIS OP
HUNTLY

"Mr. Douglas* dined with Colonel Barry yesterday. He
had just come from the Island of Elba, where he had
an audience of nearly two hours with Bonaparte.
His account of him is as nearly as follows:
On his arrival in the island he went to General Bertrand
(who is a sort of chamberlain) to state that he was a mem-
ber of the English Parliament and to request permission
to pay his respects to the Emperor. General Bertrand
was ill, but he received a very civil answer from General
Drouet in the affirmative. He was accordingly intro-
duced, and was received with great courtesy. Bonaparte
asked several questions about his journey, and then,
to the surprise of Mr. D., began to talk in the most
unreserved manner of the state of affairs in Europe. He
said that he lamented that the present Government had
not given up the slave trade — that had he remained in
power he would have done so, as it was a system of
brigandage by which France was not benefited. He
had proposed a plan for the settlement of St. Domingue,
to give up the centre of the island to the blacks and to
establish factories upon the coast. That he had conceived
it would be attended with advantage to allow polygamy
amongst the blacks, but upon consulting a certain bishop,
^un bon homme, cet EvSque m'a dit: c'est contraire &
la filigion Chr6tienne.' He abused the Emperor Alex-
ander with great violence, said he was 'faux et un fai.

* Mr. Douglas was an M.P., and a violent anti-Bonapartiat.
6S

1815] DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN

Votu ne pouvez pas avoir une idSe de la fatusetS de cet
homme.' We were right, he said, in supposing that
there had been secret articles in the treaty of Tilsit.
Alexander was bound by them to go to war with England.
'Cela entra dans mon systimel' He said the Bourbons
would repent it if they gave up Belgique.
That he would have given up anything else, but that
he knew the French people would not allow him to
remain on the throne except as a conqueror. France
would not bear to be confined to her ancient limits. He
compared her to air compressed within too small a
compass, the explosion of which was like thunder.
'Malheur avx Bourbons si jamais ils font la paix sans
conserver aucune conquite; U y'a dans la France une
jeunesse bouiUante de 100,000 hommes accovtum6s au
mMier de la guerre.* He was here evidently carried
away by his subject and, suddenly recollecting himself,
said: 'Mais ce n'est pas mon affaire— je suis mort.'
In the course of conversation Prince Metternich was
mentioned, and Mr. D. said, 'C'est un bon politique/
Bonaparte answered: ' Non, c'est un homm^e iris
aimable et qui parte tris bien en compagnie, mais qui
went toujours; on peut mentir une fois, deux fois, trois
fois, mais on ne peut pas mentir toujours, ce n'est pas seUm
ma politique.* England was, he said, at the height of
her power and glory, but that we must remember that
when nations were arrived at that point it was said
they were near a decline. That the Continental Powers
were jealous of our maritime rights and in time of peace
would be as much so as they had been of his territorial
acquisitions.

He laughed and joked a great deal about the Pope
and the tricks he had played to get him in his power,
constantly repeating, 'Moi qui suis le meiUeur Catholique
du monde; U n'y a pas dans le monde un meiUeur
CaJtholique que mm* and sentiments of this sort. He
said he understood the world had expected that he would

£4

DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN [1815

have put a pistol to his head, but no, he had been born
a soldier; had found the ''Throne de France'' vacant,
circumstances had placed him on it, that he had remained
there fourteen years, and had been obliged to descend
from it. Having borne this 'ce aeraii un ISche qui ne
pourraU pas aovtenir Vexistence.' He was sorry, he said,
at the close of the last campaign, when he had advanced
to Ville Juis, he had not pushed on to Paris. He
had 40,000 of his guards with him who would have
shed the last drop of blood for him, and he thinks his
presence would have raised the people to defend the
town — he wanted so much to do so but was dissuaded
by his generals. He complained bitterly of Marmont.
'Could you have believed it that a man to whom I have
actually given bread would have deserted me in that
manner?' he said; that we had not done justice to the
Americans; that there had never been any treaty between
him and Madison, and they had held as high language
to him as they had done to us. Mr. D. had crossed the
Alps by the passage of the Simplon, one of the most
splendid works of Bonaparte's reign; hearing it, he
made many inquiries about the state of the road, and
appeared minutely acquainted with it and interested on
the subject. This is almost all I can recollect, nearly
the whole of what Mr. D. related to us. He says Bona-
parte is in excellent health — not too fat, as he had been
told; very dirty and vulgar in his manner of speaking
and extremely poor.

The French Government have not paid him his pension,
and in consequence he has been obliged to reduce his
household one-half. He had 1200 troops in his pay,
mostly veterans who had followed his fortunes from the
Imperial Guards. Mr. D. says his apparent want of
feeling is beyond anything he could have conceived.
He could not learn anything on the subject of the reports
that he was to leave Elba. Some time ago a felucca
landed in one of the most barren parts of the island and

1815] DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN

a messenger was dispatched to Bonaparte; he came
down unattended by any servant and received a lady,
whom he conducted to a country house of his. She
remained there two days^ at the end of which time he
reconducted her in the same manner. They embraced
often at parting. The Elbans think it was Marie Louise,
but it is generally supposed to have been a Polish lady
to whom he was attached.

Mr. Douglas in the course of conversation two or three
times mentioned the Empress, whom he had seen in
Switzerland, but Bonaparte took no notice of it and
appeared anxious to avoid the subject."

NOTE ON ORIGINAL BY ALBERT GALLATIN
Mr, DougUu'a eonvenaium mth Bonaparte gwen to me at Geneva in
February, 1815, by the Marquis of Hunily, eince Duke 0/ Gordon, , , .

A,0.

Diary continued :
FEBRUARY 8

After dinner Albertine de Stael sang some charming
chansonettes, accompanying herself on a spinet. All
the chairs were put in a circle and Madame de Stael
held forth. She read some letters of Louis XVIII when
he was in England. She also told us that it was a fact
that the Due de Berri had married in London the
daughter of an English clergyman and had children.
Then Monsieur Bonstetten gave a little discourse on
Voltaire and Byron, followed by Monsieur Sigismonde.
Then father gave a most amusing account of his early life
in America and of his first meeting with General Washing-
ton in a log-cabin. I saw Madame de S. taking notes
on her tablets.

FEBRUARY 9: COPPET

This morning Lord Huntly described the splendours of
the ball at Versailles for the marriage of the Dauphin
Louis XVI; that the King sent for him and commanded
him to open the ball with Dauphine " Marie Antoinette.^'

o
u

PQ
U

DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN [1815

He saw how delighted I was and sent for me to come to
his room. He gave me two of the invitation cards;*
they are beautifully engraved. One is in colour, and in
the top left-hand corner there is, "Porie et gradins a
gaiAche"; in the centre of the coloured design is "Bal pari
h Versailles pour le mariage de Monseigneur Le Dauphin,
Le Mercredi, 24. Fevrier, 1745/' signed in the right-hand
corner *'De Bonneval." The other onef is beautifully
engraved, is larger, and has the same wording. It was
most kind of him. A large dinner at 5 o'clock, to be
followed by a comedy written by our hostess. She takes
a r61e as well as Monsieur de Montmorency. After
breakfast Madame de Stael told father she believed greatly
in heredity; undoubtedly he had inherited his talent for
finance from their common ancestor Jacques Cceur.i^
More people arriving, I made my escape, and had a good
afternoon's skating. The banquet is at 5 o'clock. We
are leaving to-morrow, much to my regret.

FEBRUARY 10: COPPET

I was too tired last night to write. I can hardly describe
last evening's festivities. Our hostess received her guests
at the end of the large eaUm — the Due and Duchesse

*The card printed in oolotir is for the marriage of the father of
Louis XVI. Signed de Bonneval, who was "Tintendant dee menus
plaisin du Roi."

t The second card mentioned above is for the ball for the marriage
in 1770 of the Dauphin, afterward Louis XVI, and is not signed.

t Jacques CkBur, celebrated financier of the fifteenth century.
Bom at Bourges, died at Ohio November 26, 1456. He lent immense
sums of money to the King Charles VII of France. His reward was
to be arrested on a charge of poisoning Agnes Sorel, the King's mistress.
He was condenmed to a long imprisonment — this gave the King an
excuse to seize the remainder of his property and fortune. Escaping
after several years of imprisonment he went to Rome and was taken
under the protection of the Pope Nicholas V. He made another
enormous fortune by opening the trade of the East. Both Madame de
Stafil and Albert Gallatin were descended from him.

1815] DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN

de Clermont-Tonnerre (she was nSe de Sellon), Count and
Countess Cavour, Comtesse de Boigne, and a host of
others. We dined thirty. At 8 o'clock more arrivals:
Prince Demidoff in a superb sleigh with eight horses
harnessed in Russian fashion; he brought the Grand
Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, Princess Patiomkin,
Princess Galitzin, and Madame Bonaparte. The Grand
Duke led in Madame Bonaparte. She is quite beautiful
still, was wonderfully dressed, and covered in fine jewels.
She kissed me on both cheeks, which made me very shy,
but she has known me since I was a child.
At 9 o'clock the comedy was played in the long gallery.
It was most witty. Madame de Stael was in white and
gold draperies, with a turban with eight or ten white
feathers. She really looked handsome. She always has
a small branch of laurel in her hand. At the end of the
performance, with a curtsey she threw it to father — ^just
the thing to annoy him. Madame Bonaparte gave me a
brooch of turquoise for my choker. Supper was served
at 10.30, and the guests did not leave until after 1.30 a.m.
We leave at 2 o'clock for Sacconex (the de Bud6s). I
watched father carefully and tried to do exactly as he
did. All the ladies curtseyed down to the ground to
H.R.H.; some of the older ones I thought would never
get up again. Why will fat old ladies wear such low
waists? I never kissed so many hands in my life, and
my neck is quite stiff with bowing.

FEBRUARY 10

We left Coppet after dijeuner. Prince Demidoff kindly
offered to take us with him, as he was going back to
Geneva and Sacconex is on his way. His sleigh is superb;
all the rugs are of the finest Russian sable. All assembled
in the hall to bid us farewell. Madame de Stael kissed
me on both cheeks and gave me a beautifully bound copy
of "Corinne" with the dedication *'A Cupidan de la
part de VatUeur" I really must look a baby. I will

DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN [1815

never forget my visit to Coppet. We had eight horses
harnessed Russian fashion, three relays. Galloped all
the way. . . .

FEBRUARY 11: SACCONEX

This is a lovely house and all are so kind. M. de Bud£

is a cousin of father's. There are two sons — Jules, the

younger, full of life. We have been skating. • • .

A large dinner, rather dull. . . .

For three mortal hours in the drawing-room footmen

passed tray after tray of nrops, wine cakes, &c. &c.

People here never seem to stop eating.

Byron called Madame de StaSl ''old Mother Stale,"

but nevertheless he said of her "she is vain, but who has

better right to be." . . .

FEBRUARY IS: GENEVA

We returned here to-day and are stopping at the Naville's.
Father learned to-day that at one time it was the inten-
tion of the British Government to send the Duke of Wel-
lington to America, during the Ghent negotiations, to
terminate the war. It seems he refused to go, giving
his reason that he could not be spared, and at the same
time expressing his displeasure at the way Lords Castle-
reagh, Liverpool, and Bathurst were acting. It seems
it was mainly due to him that the English made the
concessions they did and brought the matter to a speedy
termination. . • .

FEBRUARY 14

Father takes me alone with him to-morrow to spend the
day at Ferney. He calls it a pilgrimage. He was often
taken to see Voltaire by his grandmother when very
young. This afternoon a deputation of Americans resid-
ing in Geneva and the Canton de Vaud presented father
with an address enclosed in a beautiful casket of enamel.
We dined quietly en famiUe.

1815] DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN

FEBRUARY 15

Such an interesting day. Sitting in Voltaire's favourite
chair at Femey, I am writing this. We left Geneva
early, arriving here for dSjeuner at 11.30. The owners
of Femey are away, but left orders we were to be enter-
tained. The house is not large, but well situated and
comfortable. During dSjeuner father told me how he
used to be brought by his grandmother to Ferney; that
he often dined at the tables we were sitting at with the
friends of Voltaire — the Marquis de Condorcet,* who
wrote the letters of Junius to William Pitt (he was
arrested in April 1794 and found dead in his cell at
Bourg la Heine on April 8, poisoned by opium, which
he always carried in a ring, so cheating the guillotine);
the Abb£ Galiani, the great wit and raconteur, whose
indecent stories even Madame Necker forgave (it was
he who said the death of Marie Theresa was "like
an ink-bottle spilt on the map of Europe"); Diderot
the atheist, and Grimm. He said, "I feel them hovering
around us now, and can nearly hear their voices."
Then he told me of visits when Voltaire read some
new play aloud, or rehearsed with the Due de Villar and
Madame Gallatin (his grandmother) — plays that were
acted both at Ferney and Pregny; in fact, he himself
had taken the rdle of a negro boy in Oriental dress when
he was twelve years old. One Sunday Voltaire took
him into the garden and, pointing to the heavens, said,
"That is the dome made by the great God — not the God
created by man." There was a splendid sunset, and
as the sun sank behind the Jura Mountains he said:
"Can anything be grander than that? — never to be
imitated." — " When I was older he impressed upon me
always to be charitable in thought and action, to benefit
my fellow-creatures as much as was within my power,
always to speak the truth, and never to be afraid to give

* Jean Antoine Nioolas de Caritat, Marquis de Condorcet, bom 1743,
died 1794.

DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN [1815

my opinion/' The last time father saw him he was ill;

it was in 1778, the year before he died. He kissed father

on both cheeks and said, "Enfin Dieu m'appelle — mais

quel Dieu. Je n'en aais rien." Madame de la Vilette,

his niece, gave father a small bust of her uncle, which I

now have. . . .

Before leaving Femey I picked some myrtle-leaves

and pensSea to send to my mother. . . .

After dining at 4 o'clock we returned to Geneva — a

day never to be forgotten. I am afraid my description

is very poor.

Father is giving sittings to Madame Meunier Romilly

for a portrait for Geneva. . . .

FEBRUARY 16

To-day I visited St. Pierre, the cathedral, also the temple,
and saw the tablet to the victories of the Escalade in
1602. There was a Louis Gallatin killed. . . .

FEBRUARY 17

We went to Pregny, where father was born. This house,
together with all my father's property, was sold by his
trustees during the Revolution at great sacrifice. They
thought they were acting wisely in such troubled times.
I went to see father's portrait. She will only have
time to paint the head and hands, the remainder from
a model. It looks too old to me.

FEBRUARY 18

We paid a visit to Madame R6camier, who is passing
through Geneva. She is beautiful, but I could not see
great intelligence in her face; great charm of manner.
We also called on Madame Patterson Bonaparte. She
was very witty and made father laugh. She told us how
she first met her husband, Jerome Bonaparte. He had
gone to America in command of a ship, arriving at
Baltimore. He was invited to dine with an old French-

1815] DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN

man, the Marquis de Pol6on, who had escaped with his
family from St. Domingo during the massacre. on that
island; two of his children with their nurses were killed.
On account of the troubled state of France, he had
thought it wiser to go to America. All the beauties of
Baltimore were invited to the dinner— the Catons,*
&c. &c. She was looking out of the window overlooking
the drive with Monsieur de Poison's eldest daughter.
She continued: "We saw two young men approaching
the house. Mile Pascault exclaimed, pointing to the
taller one, 'That man will be my husband.' I answered,
'Very well, I will marry the other one.' Strangely
enough, we both did as we had said. Henrietta Pascault
married Reubell, son of one of the three directors, and
I married Jerome Bonaparte"; adding, "Had I but
waited, with my beauty and wit I would have married
an English duke, instead of which I married a Corsican
blackguard."

We leave to-morrow, much to father's regret. He feels
it is his duty to go to England as soon as possible, as
there is so much to discuss and settle. This has been
his holiday. A large supper of fifty to-night, nearly all
relations. I liked them, austere as they were, as they
are so fond of father and proud of him.

FEBRUARY 19: BELGARDE

We left at 8 o'clock this morning. Prince Demidoff
sent his sleigh and had arranged for four relays of horses.
Even at that early hour most of our relations came to
wish us "God-speed." Father was touched, I could see
it by his eyes. This is our first halting-place. After all,
Madame Meunier had only time to paint the head and
one hand, which is holding a roll of paper, symbolic of
the treaty.

* The three beautiful Miss Catons. One married the Duke of Leeds.
Another the Marquis of Wellesley, brother of the Duke of Wellington,
and the third Lord Stratford.

DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN [1816

FEBRUARY 20: BEL6ARDE

I got up early and went to see the "Bouche du Rhone."

The river disappears for over three miles under stone. . . •

FEBRUARY 2S: MACON

We arrived here late last night. A charming old town.

It is the great wine country. • . •

FEBRUARY 25: DUON

Not very interesting. Still the wine country. . . .

FEBRUARY 28: FONTAINEBLEAU
What a beautiful placet We are lodged in an inn
opposite the palace gates. I went over the ch&teau;
it is full of interest, of Henry II, Diane de Poitiers,
&c. &c. I was shown the apartment that Napoleon
gave to the Pope when he made him prisoner. The
Pope would not allow a divorce between King Jerome and
his wife; that was one of the reasons he brought him
to Fontainebleau, as he himself wanted to divorce
Josephine. . . .

MARCH 1: PARIS

We started early and arrived for breakfast at Vaux
Praslin, a magnificent palace belonging to the Due de
Choiseul. It was built by Fouquet, Marquis de Belle-
Isle, Superintendent of Finances to Louis XIV. He
entertained the King there in great splendour. . . , The
Due received us most kindly. He is a connexion through
the Birons and Marmiers. I never saw such wonderful
furniture, tapestries, pictures, &c. &c. The library
superb; all the books bound in red morocco with coat-
of-arms in gold. Only the family and a nice homely
d(jeuner. Then father returned with the Due to the
library to smoke and to get some political information
from him. We left at 3 o'clock for Paris and arrived
late. • • •

Oh, beautiful Paris I I am so glad to get back. • • •

18151 DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN

MARCH 2: PARIS

The Due de Choiseul Praslin called to-day and told father
his Majesty wished for an interview unofficial. It is a
delicate matter, as father feels, until he has been to
London, that his mouth is closed. . . .
We are lodged in a quiet little hotel in the Rue de
Monsieur. Father will not spend any money unneces-
sarily as his expenses are paid by his Government. His
strong idea is that the representative of a republic should
not make any show or be ostentatious, saying, '"It is
only the vulgar nouveaux riches that do that." . . .

MARCH 8, 1815

We were received privately this morning by the King.
Only the Duchesse d'Angoul6me was present. She
looked very sad.

The King moved to the embrasure of a window,
motioning to father to follow him; they remained in
conversation for a quarter of an hour. Amongst other
things his Majesty intimated a wish that father would
be sent as Minister to Paris, adding, "You must not
forget that your family belonged to France before you
belonged to America.'' The Duchess talked to me
most graciously, asked me about my mother, and said,
"You are too young to begin political life." I assured
her I was seventeen. She exclaimed, "Mais c'est un
bSbS." . . .

Monsieur David, the great artist, has requested father
to allow me to pose to him for Cupid. Father has
consented, and I sit to-morrow. . . .

MARCH 4, 1815

A day of great excitement. News has reached Paris that
Napoleon had made his escape from Elba and was at a
little village called Cannes; that he had been received
with acclamation.

The King and Royal Family went to the opera and
had a great reception. . . .

n
S

DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN [1815

MARCH 5

Great consternation. Courier after courier arriving;

all news suppressed. • . •

MARCH a, 1815

No news further than we had yesterday. They say the
King is very calm. I saw him driving in state to-day. . . .
Sat for my portrait — that is, like a model, I had to
pose nude. . . •

MARCH 10

The Emperor is marching on Paris, gathering men on
his way. Some say he has already one hundred thou-
sand. • • •

MARCH 11

All sorts of wild reports: one does not know what to

believe. . . .

MARCH 14

The Emperor was at Grenoble on the 7th with over

one hundred thousand men. • . •

MARCH 16

The Emperor marching steadily on to Paris — acclaimed
everywhere. Father says the Royal Family will leave
Paris in a few days. He has private information, but
has not told me any details. I walk about all day.
Bands of young men shouting "Vive TEmpereur." It
is very exciting. . . .

MARCH 19

The King and Royal Family leave Paris to-night. The
Emperor, with a huge army, is expected at Fontainebleau
to-morrow. The people in the streets look depressed
and uncertain what to do. Father has told me to remain
mdoors* • • •

«5

18151 DIARY OP JAMES GALLATIN

MARCH 20: PARIS, 11.80

The Emperor arrived this evening; most of the Imperial
Family were at the Tuilleries to greet him. All day the
greatest confusion — officers and their staff, couriers,
messengers, &c., galloping wildly about the streets.
Great carts of baggage and furniture. It is very amusing:
most of the shops closed, the caf6s crammed, chairs even
put out in the streets. Orators standing on tables
making speeches; roars of "Vive TEmpereur," "Vive
le petit Caporal." I don't know if it is genuine or not,
the French are so excitable. The American Minister
sent the Stars and Stripes for father to hang on the
balcony, for protection in case of trouble. I saw the
Emperor arrive, thousands and thousands cheering him.
I got wedged in the crowd and carried along with it. • • .

MARCH 21

People seem mad with joy. What turncoats the French
are I Dense crowds surrounding the Tuilleries all day.
I saw several of the Imperial Family driving. • • .

MARCH 9»

There is to be a gala performance at the opera — ^the night

not yet decided upon. The Emperor drove out to-day

and was received with enthusiasm everywhere.

We are leaving shortly for London. Father fears there

may be trouble, which might delay our journey. • • .

MARCH 93

The performance at the opera to-night. I am going. . • •

MARCH 24

The scene was superb. For fully twenty minutes the
audience yelled when the Emperor appeared; I yelled too.
He is fat, looks very dull, tired, and bored.
I had another sitting to-day for Monsieur David.

DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN [1815

MARCH 25

We see but few people; all our friends seem to vanish

like magic.

A distracted letter from Madame de Staei to-day. She

seems in great trouble about everything^ particularly

her fortune.

Father will answer her under cover to Monsieur Naville,

as he fears a letter addressed to her might not reach

her. • • •

MARCH 26

The people are settling down as far as one can see. Father,
through Monsieur David, has bought one or two beautiful
pictures at a very low sum — a head of a "Madonna"
on wood panel cut out of a large picture by Murillo, a
fine Paolo Veronese, the subject Queen Esther before
Ahasuerus, a portrait of Mile de Lafayette by Mignard,
and a lovely head by Greuze. I don't think father will
approve of my picture Monsieur David is painting; it
is V Amour et Psyche. I have not seen the model but
would like to. She must be very pretty, only seventeen.
We are not to pose together. • • •

MARCH 28

My last sitting, as we leave for England in a few days.

MARCH 29

The Emperor sent an aide-de-camp requesting an inter-
view with father, purely on some financial matters. It
places him in a most awkward position; he regrets he
did not leave for England sooner. . . •

MARCH 80

The audience at 10.30 this morning. I am not to go.
Father was not at all pleased with his interview. He
says the Emperor was brusque — that his speech is most
vulgar. Joseph Bonaparte was present. I had better
quote father's own words: "The Emperor first asked
my advice on important financial matters, to which I

18151 DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN

gave my frank opinion. He then began to question me
about Canada, also the slave trade. I replied, 'Sire,
my position is such that on these subjects my lips are
at present sealed.' He abruptly said, 'Then why did
you come here?' Bowing, I answered, 'I obeyed your
Majesty's command out of respect for the ruler of France,
but as an envoy from the United States to England I
am not my own master.' The Emperor, turning his
back on me, walked to a window; I having backed out
of the room, so ended our interview." • • .

MARCH 81

We are leaving to-morrow for London. Father thinks

it is wiser. • • •

APRIL 1: PARIS

We could not start after all — some difficulty about our
passports. It seems we cannot leave until the 3rd.
Father is much put out. He had a letter to-day from
Lord Castlereagh. Mr. Adams is Minister to England.
I will be very glad to see him again. • . •

APRIL 2

I saw the Emperor to-day riding with a great staff of
officers. He certainly has a most powerful face. I
went to the Fran9ais last night. We leave early to-
morrow. • • •

APRIL 8: MANTES

Our first stopping-place. Arrived in time to go to bed.
Ugly country. ... I wrote a long letter home, as father
has an offer to take letters from le Havre. . . •

APRIL 4: LES ANDELYS

A long weary day. There was some mistake about our
relay of horses and we were detained three hours. We
go by Rouen, as father wants me to see the cathedral.
He need not arrive in London until the 10th. • • •

DIARY OP JAMES GALLATIN [1815

APRIL 5: ROUEN

Arrived here too late to see anything. . • •

APRIL 6: ROUEN

I have been all over the cathedral; it is very beautiful.
Joan of Arc was burned here. We leave at 11
o'clock. . . .

APRIL 7: LE HAVRE

We embarked at once. Awfully rough. Such a miserable
little packet! Only one cabin, and horrid odours of
onions frying. I have gone under. . • •

APRIL 9: DOVER

An awful passage. Father has posted up to London,

leaving me here to recover. I will leave to-morrow. • • •

APRIL 10: LONDON

We have been lent such a nice house in St. James's

Street and all the servants. I have not seen father

APRIL 11

Mr. Adams does not arrive to take up his post until

next month.

Mr. Bayard is appointed Minister to Russia but he is

too ill to accept it. He is in Paris. • • •

APRIL 12

I am very busy now as I have all sorts of documents to
copy and file. I also have to go with father to take
notes. All settling of negotiations is at present entirely
carried out by him, so the work is very heavy. Lord
Castlereagh is most gracious, even friendly. Our position
in London is quite different now; I think I will enjoy
myself. Mr. Clay arrives in a few days. The season
has not yet commenced but people are returning to town.

1815] DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN

I have been specially enjoined not to record any gossip
in my diary — ^to confine it as much as possible to interest-
ing facts. Father dislikes gossip and tittle-tattle, saying
it is only fit for idle women. I am having a fine dress
made to be presented in May. . . •

APRIL 16: LONDON

I went to St. Paul's Cathedral and the Tower of London
to-day; the latter is most interesting.
All we can do now is to go thoroughly into the following
matters awaiting Mr. Adams' arrival: Colonial policy;
regulating traffic with Canada; opening the St. Lawrence
River to us; impressment and blockade in times of war;
trade with West Indies and Nova Scotia; trade between
India, Europe, and the United States. Father wishes
to have everything ready, so as to be able to put matters
clearly before the other delegates when all have assembled.
Of course, he is anxious to go home, as he has been absent
over two years. . . .

APRIL 20: LONDON

We are invited to pay a visit to the Duke of Devonshire
at Chatsworth, also to Lord Saye and Sele at Broughton
Castle. I went to see a cock-fight yesterday and did
not like it; I will not go again. We dine and sup out
a great deal. I cannot stand the hours they sit at the
table drinking port and Madeira. At some houses they
have round shallow silver trays on wheels holding the
bottles, which are pushed round the table. I have
never been accustomed to drink anything but claret and
water, so I have to sit quiet doing nothing and listening
to subjects discussed which are far beyond me,

APRIL 26: BROUGHTON CASTLE

This is a most interesting old castle surrounded by a
moat with a drawbridge. The hall is full of armour
which was fished out of the moat. My bedroom has a

DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN [1815

sliding panel which opens on the chapel below; other
rooms have the same. It is to hear early prayers without
leaving one's room. • . .

APRIL «9: CHATSWORTH

We arrived here on Friday. A superb palace. His
Grace is so handsome, such great dignity of manner
and so kind and gracious. He is only twenty-five. Every-
thing on a splendid scale. They say he will never marry
as there is some doubt about his birth — that he is a
changeling. We return to London on Tuesday. Father
anxious to get back. • • .

APRIL 80: CHATSWORTH

There is a very large party stopping here; I cannot get
hold of all the names. One very great lady is the Mar-
chioness of Stafford; she is Countess of Sutherland in
her own right. Like all well-born people I have met she
is most simple, gracious, and charming. She seems to
take an interest in everything and is most kind to me.
She took me all over the house, pointing out the pictures
and telling me their history. She was a great friend
of the unfortunate Queen Marie Antoinette. She has
the greatest admiration for Madame de Stael and was
much interested in my account of our visit to Coppet.
She laughed at the dedication to "Cupidon" in my copy
of "Corinne" and calls me "Cupid." I am going to dye
my hair black. The ladies are very fine at night and
wear wonderful jewels.

We visited some splendid places to-day. Everything is
done in such great state. Poor father is so bored;
I like it.

MAY 1: CHATSWORTH

We leave to-day. His Grace is putting a fine coach
at our disposal with relays of horses all the way to
London • • •

1815] DIARY OP JAMES GALLATIN

MAY 8: LONDON

Mr. Adams arrives shortly. We found quantities of

invitations.

Dined with Mr. Alexander Baring. His wife was Miss

Bingham from Philadelphia, her father a Senator. Mr.

Frederick Robinson,* ^ce-President of the Board of Trade,

was one of the guests. He takes Lord Gambier's place.

He seems most affable — a contrast to Lord Gambler,

who reminded me of a fire cracker which would never

go off but was always sputtering (I am forbidden to

express my opinions). Lord Landsdowne and Lord Grey,

very important personages, were also present. We are

to be presented privately to the Regent on Saturday. . . .

MAY 5: LONDON, SATURDAY

We were received by the Regent at 12 o'clock. Carlton
House is very fine but the furniture, &c., is too
showy. The Regent and two of his brothers received
us. The former is very handsome and dignified but is
fat. He was superbly dressed, his brothers as well.
Father made such a contrast in his black shorts, white
silk stockings, and black coat with his white choker.
The Prince has the most charming manners; he was
most affable. I was in my new clothes — yellow breeches,
white stockings, and a dark-blue coat embroidered in
gold. He patted me on the cheek and said with a laugh,
"You will break some hearts." Everything was done
with the greatest tact — ^no mention of politics, simply a
wish expressed that we should enjoy our sojourn in
England. The audience lasted half an hour.
I forgot to mention that a Royal carriage was sent to
take us to the palace. There were three footmen behind
and father's chasseur, in green with cock's feathers in
his hat, stood on the step. We had to have a chasseur
as father is "Special Ambassador to England." We never

* Frederick John Robinson. Created Viscount Goderich, April 28,
1827, and Earl of Ripon, April 13, 1833.

DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN [1815

drive out without him, and when we walk in the Mall
he is always behind father. • • •

MAY 9: THUBSDAY

Very busy writing. I have been to two balls and a rout.
What a funny thing the latter is. You crawl up the
staircase, bow to your hosts at the top, and crawl down
again with your clothes torn off your back. They call
that pleasure. We dine to-morrow with the Duke of
Wellington. . • .

MAY 11: SATURDAY

A very fine dinner. Gold and silver plate superb. It
lasted four hours. Everybody of note was present —
all the Ministry. Of course, I was much interested. I
sat next to Lord Grey. He did not talk but snapped out
sentences; his mouth is like a mouse-trap. All the
servants, they say, were bailiffs. There is so much
splendour and so much absolutely degrading poverty in
London. Neither in Paris nor Washington have I seen
anything of the kind. • • •

MAY IS: MONDAY

Mr. Adams has arrived and we go to serious work. • • •

MAY 15: WEDNESDAY

A very long interview to-day; all delegates present.
Mr. Robinson and father continually poured oil on the
troubled waters. Serious matters were discussed, then
dropped to be brought up again. They meet again on
Friday. • • •

MAY 17: FBIDAY

Mr. Adams is really a thorn; he is so absolutely "Yankee"
and of a common type. Why he is Minister here I
cannot understand. He is totally unfitted for the post.
He bursts out at times, upsetting everybody and every-
thing. Father looks at him with tightly compressed

1815] DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN

lips. I fear some day he will wither him; now he only
makes a clever joke which restores peace. I can see
the contempt on the faces of the English delegates;
they are so courteous and civil. . . .

MAY 18

Father had a long personal interview with Lord Castle-
reagh to-day. They have both agreed that this is the
wiser method to pursue. Lord C. told him they did more
in an hour than, when all met, in a week. Father has
the same confidence in his lordship's wonderful quickness
in grasping matters, also his sound good sense of justice
that Lord C. seems to reciprocate.

MAY «0: LONDON

Since the signing of the treaty at Ghent there have been
a series of leaders in the Times inspired by the war party,
of the most bitter character. Of course, they have
annoyed me very much. Father has spoken to me
several times on the subject with his calm good sense.
He says this is inevitable — ^to be regretted, but unworthy
of notice.

Lord Castlereagh has assured him that when he received
the news of the signing of the treaty at Vienna he was
overjoyed.

The Duke of Wellington and Lord Liverpool have
expressed the same sentiments. What has pleased me
more than anything else is that these three great men have
unreservedly acknowledged that to his good sense,
moderation, and firmness the signing of the treaty was
due. He has no vanity, but feels it is a reward for all
the personal sacrifices he has made.

MAY 23

There is a great activity in military circles; evidently
the allies are determined to crush Napoleon once and for
all. All this delays us. Father says the climax one

DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN [1815

way or the other must soon arrive. He is a little anxious^
but says little. . . .

MAY 26

Wild rumours of all sorts of what the Emperor is going

to do or try to do. Father fears a great financial crisis. . • .

MAY 28

There is but one absorbing topic, ''Napoleon" I

"Boney'Mll

JUNE 7: LONDON

Father received a detailed account of the great ceremony
in the Champs de Mars. There was first a solemn Mass,
then the Emperor swore fidelity to the New Constitution.
He was dressed in the Imperial robes of state. His
brothers wore Court dresses of white velvet embroidered
in gold, short capes of the same material powdered with
golden bees, and caps with masses of white ostrich feathers.
The Emperor distributed the eagles to the various regi-
ments. At that moment a terrific thunderstorm broke
and this, together with the repeated salutes of artillery,
made a most impressive, if not theatrical, scene. In a
box next to the throne were all the Imperial princesses
with their children. I wish I had seen all this. • • •

JUNE 1«

But little news. Messrs. Bayard and Crawford sail in
the Neptune on the 18th. Father is forced to remain
to sign the treaty. Always some new obstacle crops up.
Mr. Adams impossible.

JUNE 15

Great news. Napoleon left Paris last Monday; they say

he is marching on Brussels. • • •

JUNE 17

News arrives only to be contradicted, but the fact remains
the Emperor is sweeping all before him. Father only

1815] DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN

seems troubled about the financial crash which is sure to
follow if Napoleon is victorious. . . .

JUNE 18

Great anxiety. Consols have fallen terribly. I have
never seen greater depression; everybody one sees
seems frightened. A rumour to-day that a battle had
been fought and that the Duke of Wellington was crushed;
to-night that is contradicted. One cannot believe any-
thing. They say Monsieur Rothschild has mounted
couriers from Brussels to Ostend and a fast clipper ready
to sail the moment something is decisive one way or the
other. • • •

JUNE 25, 1815

The last few days have been so intoxicating that I have
not had a moment to write in my diary. When the
news was confirmed of the great victory of the Duke of
Wellington at Waterloo London went mad and I with it.
People I had never seen before rushed up to me in the
streets and shook me violently by the hand. Father
now says we will have a long and lasting peace — ^that
Napoleon will be obliged to abdicate, that his star has
fallen. Many people have been ruined and others have
made large fortunes. He is a little annoyed at the
desertion of Messrs. Bayard and Crawford, who have
sailed in the Neptune, leaving us to get home as best
we can. • • •

JUNE 26

The Emperor has arrived in Paris. It seems he wanted
to be killed but his marshals forced him into a carriage,
as they feared he might be taken prisoner. • • •

JUNE 27

We are nearing the completion of the Treaty of Commerce,
and it is to be signed in a day or two. . • •

DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN [1815

JUNE 28

Father had a farewell audience with the Regent. I did

not go. Mr. Baring is most kind to us. . • •

JUNE 29

Of course, Mr. Adams is retarding matters with his pig-
headedness. Mr. Robinson is so entirely different, so
suave and conciliatory. Father is perfectly satisfied
with the conditions of the treaty. • • .

JUNE 80

Father has decided to leave London on July 4, on our
way home. My mother is not well. We have secured
a good ship. • • .

JULY 2

The treaty signed to-day but not without difficulty.
Mr. Adams at the last moment wished to make all sorts
of alterations. Father agreed to some of them, and
Mr. Robinson also; if it had been Mr. Goulbum or
Adams they would not have agreed so easily. Mr.
Robinson has been most charming in every way. We
dine for the last time with Mr. Baring. . . •

JULY 8

We are actually off to-morrow. All the Barings were

so kind. The dinner was delightful and we parted

with them with deep regret. I will be glad to get

home; after all it is my home and I love it. But I

want to come back. Homme propose mma Dieu

dispose.

PART III

THE MINISTRY IN FRANCE

FBOM THE RESTORATION OF THE BOURBONS TO THE
ASSASSINATION OF THE DUG DE BERBI

NOVEMBER IS15—JULY 1820

NOVEMBER 28, 1815: NEW YORK

Much to my regret, father has written to-day declining
the mission to France. Lately he seems to have got an
idea in his head that he must devote his attention to
making money for his children. Mamma is greatly dis-
appointed as well as Frances; they had been looking
forward to the gaieties of Paris life after all I had told
them. Albert does not care; he would prefer to live
in the backwoods.

ALBERT GALLATIN to THOMAS JEFFERSON

New York, November 27, 1815
Dear Sir,

On my return from Washington I found your
welcome letter of October 16, which my friends here,
daily expecting my return, had kept instead of forwarding
it.

Onr opinion of Bonaparte is precisely the same. In
that Lafayette's and the opinion of every friend of rational
liberty in France did coincide. The return of that man
was generally considered by them as a curse. Notwith-
standing the blunders and rooted prejudices of the
Bourbons, the alienation of the army and the absolute
want of physical force had made them, upon the whole,

DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN [1815

harmless, and as soon as the termination of the Congress*
would have left France independent of foreign interference,
they must in the course of things either have been overset
or have governed according to public opinion. After
Bonaparte's restoration, it was hoped to pursue a similar
course; others, placing confidence in the declarations
of the Allies, hoped to get rid both of him and of the
Bourbons. All saw the necessity of defending the
country against foreign invasion, but the fatal catastrophe
was not, to its full extent, anticipated by any. I call it
a catastrophe with an eye only to the present; for,
exhausted, degraded, and oppressed as France now is,
I do not despair of her ultimate success in establishing
her independence and a free form of Government. The
people are too enlightened to submit long to any but a
military despotism. What has lately passed was a scene
in the drama, perhaps necessary to effect a radical cure
of that love of conquest which had corrupted the nation
and made the French oppressors abroad and slaves at
home. As to independence, we have the recent instance
of Prussia, which, with far inferior population, resources,
or intellect, arose in two years from almost annihilation
to the rank of a preponderating Power. But to return
to Bonaparte: I lament to see our republican editors
so much dazzled by extraordinary actions or carried
away by natural aversion to our only dangerous enemy
as to take up the cause of that despot and conqueror,
and to represent him as the champion of liberty who has
been her most mortal enemy, where hatred to republican
systems was founded on the most unbounded selfishness
and on the most hearty contempt for mankind. I really
wish that you would permit me to publish, or rather that
you would publish, your opinions on that subject. This
might have a tendency to correct those which are daily
published, and which do injury to our cause at home,
and to our country abroad.

* At Vieniia and the dissolution of the Coalition.
79

1815] DIARY OP JAMES GALLATIN

Under different circumstances, without having any
wish for a foreign mission or a residence in France,
I might have accepted the appointment of Minister there.
But, satisfied that nothing can at this moment be effected
in that country, and it being very reluctant to my feelings
to be on a mission to a degraded monarch and to a nation
under the yoke of foreign armies, I thought that I might,
without any breach of public duty or of private gratitude,
consult my own convenience, and I have accordingly
officially informed our Government that I declined
altogether the appointment. ^^^^^ Gallatin

NOVEMBER 27

I had a long conversation with father this morning. For
the first time he told me of Mr. John Jacob Astor's most
generous offer to take him into partnership, with a fifth
share in a business whose profits were $100,000 a year.
His reasons for refusing were, although he respected
Mr. Astor, he never could place himself on the same level
with him. I am not surprised, as Astor was a butcher's
son at Waldorf — came as an emigrant to this country
with a pack on his back. He peddled furs, was very
clever, and is, I believe, one of the kings of the fur trade.
He dined here and ate his ice-cream and peas with a
knife.

DECEMBER 6

He showed me a letter from Mr. Monroe again urging

him to accept the French mission. It is in the most

flattering terms and begs father not to withdraw from

political life — ^that he is by far the finest diplomatist we

have, that anything would be safe in his hands.

I did hope he was going to tell me he would accept,

but when I ventured to ask him his answer was: ''I

must think of making proper provision for my family.

I am getting old.''

DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN [1815

DECEMBER 19

Another letter from Mr. Monroe urging father to recon-
sider the mission to France. We all want him to, but we
know perfectly well it is wise for us not to say anything. I
honestly feel I would much prefer to live in either France
or England — all is so crude in this country. The two
years I spent in Russia, France, and England have
unfitted me for America.

DECEMBER 26

Father has just brought another letter to copy.

ALBERT GALLATIN to JAMES MONROE

New Yobk, December 26, 1815
Dear Sib,

I have received your friendly letters of the 4th
and 16th instant, and have a grateful sense of the motives
which dictated them. I can assure you that I feel a
great reluctance to part with my personal and political
friends, and that every consideration merely personal
to myself and detached from my family urges a con-
tinuance in public life. My habits are formed and cannot
be altered. I feel alive to everything connected with
the interest, happiness, and reputation of the United
States. Whatever affects unfavourably either of them
makes me more unhappy than any private loss or incon-
venience. Although I have nothing to do with it, the
continual suspension of specie payments, which I con-
sider as a continued unnecessary violation of the public
faith, occupies my thoughts more than any other subject.
I feel as a passenger in a storm — vexed that I cannot
assist. This I understand to be very generally the
feeling of every statesman out of place. Be this as it
may, although I did and do believe that for the present
at least I could not be of much public utility in France,
I did in my private letter to the President place my
declining on the ground of private considerations. In

1816] DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN

that respect my views are limited to the mere means of
existence without falling in debt. I do not wish to
accumulate any property. I will not do my family the
injury of impairing the little I have. My health is frail;
they may soon lose me, and I will not leave them depend-
ent on the bounty of others. Was I to go to France,
and my compensation and private income (this last
does not exceed $2500 a year) did not enable me to live
as I ought, I must live as I can. I ask your forgiveness
for entering in those details, but you have treated me as
a friend and I write to you as such. You have from
friendship wished that I would reconsider my first
decision, and I will avail myself of the permission. It
will be understood that in the meanwhile, if the delay
is attended with any public inconvenience, a new appoint-
ment may immediately take place. My motive for
writing when I did was a fear that, specially with respect
to other missions, the belief that I would go to France
might induce the President to make different arrange-
ments from those he would have adopted on a contrary
supposition. . . .

Albert Gallatin

JANUARY 2, 1816

I really believe he is going to change his mind after all.
Mamma does not mention the subject but sighs deeply
at intervals. Frances declared at breakfast it was useless
for her to go on with her French as they were not going
to Paris. . • .

FEBRUARY 2

Hurrah I everything covleur de rose. I wrote the letter
accepting the French mission for him at his dictation.
Mr. Monroe had written him the most pressing letter on
the 27th of last month, begging for an immediate reply
one way or the other. All I say to them at home is,
"Faiies vos paqueis, mesdames" . . .

DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN [1816

ALBERT GALLATIN to JAMES MONROE
acotpHng the mianon to France

New Yobk» February 2, 1816
Deab Sib,

I have just received your letter of 27th ult., and
have at last concluded to avail myself of the permission
given me to accept again the mission to France. I am
duly sensible of yours and the President's kindness in
having kept the question so long opened, and hope you
will find an apology for my hesitation in the importance,
at my age, of a decision which must so materially affect
the prospects for life of my wife and children. I believe
with you that the chance of Congress making any addi-
tional allowance to Foreign Ministers is not the better
on account either of the present incumbents or of the
state of suspense in which some of the important missions
are now kept. On what may hereafter be done no
reliance can be placed. I calculate only on what now
exists, and mean, as I before stated, to regulate my
expenses accordingly. If I find it impracticable to live
without encroaching on my small property, I will beg
permission to return. I believe an additional compen-
sation to be much more important to the United States
than to the individual.

I have still some private arrangements to complete,
which will not, however, detain me long, and I will be
ready to repair to Washington, for the purpose of reading
the former correspondence and receiving your instruc-
tions, at any time you may be pleased to appoint. It will
best suit my convenience to have a short time allowed
me on my return from Washington. I will, in the
meanwhile, wait for your answer.

I beg you to present Mrs. G.'s and my best respects
to Mrs. M. and to Mrs. Hay, and to believe me, with
sincere respect and esteem, truly yours.

You will have the goodness to retiurn or destroy the

1816] DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN

letter in which I had declined the appointment, as it
should not remain on the files of the oflSice.

Albebt Gallatin

JAMES MONBOE to ALBEBT GALLATIN

Washington, Febmary IS, 1816
Deab Sib,

We were much gratified to find by your last letter
that you accepted the mission to France. I have not
wished to take you from your affairs, which I am con-
vinced must require your unremitted attention before
your departure; but I now think that the sooner you
come here the better it will be. It is known that you
have accepted the mission, and an early visit here will
produce a good effect. The prospect of obtaining an
augmentation, in the modes heretofore suggested, of the
salary is improved by the acceptance; and, being here,
the opportunity you will have of conferring with Mr. Clay
and Mr. Crawford on the subject, and interesting them
in it, will give to our exertions much aid. This you may
afford, in the present state, with perfect delicacy. Every-
thing will be done to accommodate your views, in the
time of your departure, that circumstances will permit.
Your former letter was not filed in the Department.
I will return it to you when we meet. Our best regards
to Mrs. Gallatin.

With great respect and esteem,

Sincerely yours.

James Monboe

AFBIL IS

Bother I I wish people would let him alone. They now
offer him the Treasury; again all our plans are at a
standstill.

DIARY OP JAMES GALLATIN [1816
AFBIL 18

He will not accept. He says his arrangements to go to
France are too far advanced to be changed at this last
moment. He also has some very important business to
settle in Geneva. The family bourse has accumu-
lated for so long, and now is such a large sum, he thinks
something should be done with it. He is the only male
Gallatin in the world and the Gallatin women have no
claim to it; there are several of them married in Geneva
of the different branches. Anyhow, to France we go.

MAY 85

I have been on board the Peacock (Captain Rogers),
which is fitting out to take us as soon as possible. The
captain told me to-day he would be ready June 1, but
from the appearance of things I do not believe he will.

JUNE 2

Of course, the Peacock is not ready. Here we are all

packed up and ready; everything most uncomfortable.

JUNE 7

The captain has promised father that he will be able

to sail in two days. All our baggage has been put on

board*

JUNE 10: ON BOARD THE PEACOCK
We are actually off. Such a host of friends to bid us
''God-speed." Mamma in tears, Frances in tears, all
the maids in tears, and all the female relations in tears.
At the present moment mamma and Frances are waving
to the receding shore. Albert is busy with the chickens,
of which we have a large supply. . . •

JULY 9: PARIS

After a very fast passage here we are in Paris. I can
hardly believe it is true, and keep rubbing my eyes,
thinking I may be asleep and dreaming.

18161 DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN

JULY 10

Father had an interview with the Due de Richelieu* to-day
at 12 o'clock; I was present to take notes. He ex-
pressed a most friendly feeling that the French Govern-
ment had for the United States — in fact, was most civil,
even cordial.

He seemed anxious to know what our feelings toward
England were. Father answered that the two Govern-
ments were on excellent terms, but of course there was
irritation between the people, which always existed after
a war — that he regretted that public journals added
fuel to the flame.

The Duke regretted that the newspapers misrepresented
the present government of France. He could not under-
stand how most of the English and American papers
defended a man who crushed liberty everywhere.
The Duke, on leaving, said His Majesty wished father
to present his letters of credence to-morrow as the Royal
Family were leaving Paris shortly.

JULY 11

I accompanied father to the palace to present his letters.
I was amazed at our reception, both by the King and
the Prince. Our audience was, of course, private.
Father presented me. Both the King and the Prince
expressed themselves as most friendly towards the
United States. "Monsieur,"t the Due d'Angoulfime,
and the Due de Berri were present. The King is old
and very fat. Monsieur is rather handsome; the
Due d'AngouUme very stern but with a very kind face;

*Duc de Richelieu (Femand-Emmanuel-Sophie-Septimanio du
Plessis), peer of France. Minister of Foreign Affairs and President of
the Council September 26, 1815; died May 17, 1822.

t "Monsieur" Charles-Philippe de France, Comte d'Artois, brother
of the King. He succeeded Louis XVIII as King of France September
16, 1824. He reigned under the name of Charles X. His two sons
were the Dukes of Angouldme and Bern.

DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN [1816

the Due de Berri very good-looking and very gay and

smiling.

Very great etiquette is maintained. They say the

King is more strict than even Louis XIV was. We cut

a sorry sight in our plain black coats and breeches with

all the splendours of the Court uniforms.

The King asked about mamma's health, how she had

borne the journey — is really most kind and gracious.

Court coaches were sent for us and took us back. Mr.

Sheldon* followed us in the second coach.

JULY 80: 21 RUE DE L'UNTVEBSITE
I have been all day interviewing servants — tall and short,
fat and thin — until I can hardly speak. After sorting
out what I considered the best, I had them drawn up
for father's approval, which I am glad to say he gave.
Major-domo — Callon by name, a very fine person;
two house footmen, Edouard and Alfred; two carriage
footmen, Louis and Jean; Chef, Monsieur Ratifar, such
a great personage (he brings his own kitchen staff) ; three
maids, all pretty — I chose them. I don't know what
mamma will say when she sees them. I hate to look at
ugly women.

The house is really very fine erUre cours et jardin.
Furniture old but very good. We have to supply our
own plate and linen. We have to make some alterations,
so mamma and Frances have gone to the Lussacs at
Versailles. I have my own valet, Lucien, aged twenty-
five — a very important person he thinks himself, valet
to a Secretary of Embassy. He will call me "Excels
lence."

AUGUST «

All the morning choosing carriages and horses. Of the

latter we got two pairs, very fine for the "Berline,"

which is all glass in front; this will be for Court and

* Mr. Sheldon was one of Albert Gallatin's secretariee.

1816] DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN

state occasions. A very strong "Brichka" for everyday
use, a nice stout little pair for it. A cabriolet for me;
any of the big horses will go in single.

AUGUST 6

We are really in very good order and the servants excel-
lent. Madame Patterson Bonaparte has written from
Geneva asking if she might be allowed to pay us a visit
of a few days. She is on her way to America. She arrives
on the 10th.

Nora: The foOawing letter ufriUen at thU date gtoee an Meruting ac-
count cfthefinandal condition oj Franot aSter Waterloo.

LETTER from ALBERT GALLATIN to JAMES
MONROE AT WASHINGTON

Paris, Auguri 6» 1816
Sir,

You were informed by my dispatch No. 1 of my
arrival in this city on the 9th of last month. On the
11th I had audience of the King, to whom I delivered
my letters of credence. The reception, both from him
and from the princes, was what is called gracious, and
accompanied with the usual expressions of most friendly
disposition towards the United States.
My abode here has been too short to enable me to form
any opinion of the prospect we have of succeeding in
obtaining the indemnities so justly due to our citizens,
and I do not wish to enter into the discussion until I
have ascertained as far as practicable the disposition
of this Government in that respect. Whatever this may
be, the situation of their finances will be a formidable
obstacle in our way. That there will be a great deficit
this and every succeeding year until the foreign contribu-
tions are discharged is notorious. The precise amount
of that deficit for this year is not so well known, but,
from a source entitled to confidence, has been stated to

DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN [1816

me as exceeding 350 millions of francs. It is not believed
that any practical increase of taxes can produce more
than 100 millions. The residue, or 250 millions a year
for five years, must therefore remain unpaid, or be
provided for by creating new stock. That situation would,
indeed, be deplorable in a country where there is no
public credit, and where the Treasury cannot raise money
in any other manner than by selling their 5 per cent,
stock at the market rate, which does not now exceed
58 per cent. I still hope that the statement is exagger-
ated; but the reliance which seems to be placed on the
forbearance of the allied Powers confirms the opinion
that the internal resources are not sufficient to meet the
foreign demands.

It has been suggested to me that some classes of cliums,
particularly that of vessels burnt at sea, would, if pressed
by themselves, have a better chance of being admitted;
but, unless otherwise instructed, I will not pursue a course
which might injure the general mass of our claims. • . •

Albert Gallatin

AUGUST 7

His Majesty has expressed a wish — ^in fact, a command —
that mamma is to be received in private audience, and
has fixed the 9th. Fortunately, she has all her frocks
ready. She is to be received in the morning. All the
corys diplomatique have called, and now it is nothing
but returning visits. The de Broglies are still with
Madame de Stael at Coppet, but are returning to Paris
shortly. The Due de la Rochefoucauld d'Enville (a distant
relation) has been most kind, and has told father what
he ought to do and what he ought not to do.

AUGUST 10

Mamma was most graciously received. Father accom-
panied her. She had to wear full Court dress at eleven
in the morning. She was first received by the King,

1816] DIARY OF JAMES GAUATIN

who spoke English to her, much to her relief. When
she retired from the presence she was escorted by Madame
de Duras to the apartments of the Duchesse d'AngouI6me.
It seems it was most trying. She has not yet recovered
from the fatigue, as she is not strong.

AUGUST 11

Madame Patterson Bonaparte arrived this morning from
Geneva. Her baggage nearly filled the antechamber.
She is very lovely, but hard in expression and manner.
I don't think she has much heart. Her son seems to
be her one thought. She had a very long talk with
father about his future (her son's) ; she is most ambitious
for him. She even has a list of the different princesses
who will be available for him to marry: as he is only
ten years old, it is looking far ahead.
I have but little work to do here. I foresee I will
soon be in mischief. Paris is indeed the paradise of
young men.

AUGUST 12, 1816

Madame Bonaparte's conversation most brilliant. At
supper last night she said that when in Paris just after the
hundred days, she was at a ball at the British Embassy.
She noticed she was much stared at, and that some of
the ladies curtsied to her. She asked the Duke of Wel-
lington what it meant, and he told her she was taken
for Pauline Bonaparte * as she was so strikingly like her,
and that people were so amazed at thinking Pauline
Bonaparte would have dared come back to France.
The Ambassador came up to her at that moment to lead
her to supper. This intrigued the company all the
more. She is frightfully vain.

AUGUST 14

Father had an audience of the King this morning. He

suddenly said: "I hear that Madame Jerome Bonaparte

* Sister of Napoleon, married Prince Borghese.

DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN [1816

is with you. Pray express to her our regret she will not
come to our Court, but that we know her reasons for
not doing so." When father told her she was much
gratified, and said, "That Corsican blackguard would
not have been so gracious."

AUGUST 15

Madame Bonaparte left to-day for Havre to embark for
America. She is such an interesting person, we will
miss her. She gave mamma a ruby-velvet frock to cut
up for Frances. To father she gave a really beautiful
turquoise and diamond brooch. He will never wear it,
so I will have it.

AUGUST 17

We are very busy with documents to be copied to send
to America. The Due de Richelieu had a very long
conference with father yesterday. The latter likes him
so much — admires all his fine qualities, particularly his
great simplicity, frugality, and above all his honesty.

AUGUST 23

I drove my new "curricle" for the first time to-day.
I do not know which was the most proud, myself, Lucien,
or the horse. It is rather difficult to drive a spirited
horse and to keep taking off one's hat every moment.
I have to be on the qui vive not to fail to return a salute;
I will do better when I get to know people's faces better,
but now I find it most difficult. I saw many lovely
ladies, and I flatter myself some of them saw me. I
find they notice much more when I am driving than when
I am on foot. Moral — always drive.
I have just come back from walking in the gardens
of the Palais Royal. How pretty Frenchwomen are I
I know I shall get into all sorts of scrapes. I don't
remember if I noted our visit to Monsieur de Lafayette.
He is stopping with a Mr. Parker some distance from

1816] DIARY OP JAMES GALLATIN

Paris. He has permission to come to Paris but does
not wish to do so at present. His greeting to father
was most cordial. We are soon going to see him again.
I now find it most difficult to keep up my diary; lately
I have neglected it terribly. In the future I will have
simply to write when I can find time and from memory.
It is work all the morning, receiving for father all kinds
and qualities of people; dining out, suppers, theatres,
and all sorts and kinds of varied amusements. Hardly
time to sleep.

I have made friends with a charming little danseiise of
the opera, Rosette by name.

A week since I have been able to take up my pen. On
Thursday father and mother were commanded to dine
with the King — a very great honour it seems, and one
reserved for princes and ambassadors. A rather amusing
incident happened. After dinner a small reception was
held. Amongst the ladies received was a Comtesse de
Boigne.* She is the daughter of the Marquis d'Osmond,t
ambassador in England. In a loud tone she expressed
her astonishment at the presence of Monsieur Gallatin
and his wife to the Prince de Cond64 His answer to her
was: ''His Majesty cannot too highly honour Monsieur
Gallatin, as, although representing a new country, his
ancestors had served France for generations and one had
been a most honoured and intimate friend of Henri IV.''§
It seems this got to the King's ears, who was much
annoyed, and when Madame de Boigne made her curtsy
he turned his back on her. She called on mamma the
next day, and was most gracious and asked too many

^ Charlotte Louise Eldnore Adelaide d'Osmond married at the age
of sixteen General de Boigne. Separated from him after ten months
of married life. He was immensely rich and allowed her a large income.

t R^ne Eufltache Marquis d'Osmond, Peer of France, Ambassador
in England.

t R^ne de Cond6, bom 1736, Due de Bourbcm.

f See Appendix II.

CASPAR GALLATIN
Fbiend or Henri IV

DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN [1817

questions. They say she is the mistress of the Due
d'0rl6anS| who is not allowed to come back to France.
Madame de Stagl has arrived. I went with father to
see her to-day; she looks very ill. She had heard of
Madame de Boigne's behaviour and was very angry.
She said, "That woman is effrontery itself," and "Truth
never received her invitation to her christening." Madame
R6camier was much amused and told many funny anec-
dotes about Madame de B. It seems her husband is an
Indian nabob who has property at Chamb^ry. They
do not live together but he allows her a large income.
Albertine de Broglie was delightful — so glad to see us
and is so natural and unaffected. They are looking for
a house, but are at present with her mother. . . .

DECEMBER

Poor neglected diary I I have broken with Rosette
and now dance with the jeunes fiUes du monde. It is not
amusing as I take them back to their mothers when the
dance is over. We hardly speak a word. How I hate
all this etiquette I We dined yesterday at the Due
de Bern's. They were both most gracious; she is like
a spoiled child and has very bad manners. The Duke of
Wellington was a guest, and after dinner the Due de Berri
spoke most kindly to me. They say he has many friends
in the covlisae of the opera. He is so gay and cheerful —
such a contrast to his father and uncle. They say the
Orl^ns family will soon return to the Palais Royale
and they receive in the most informal manner. A great
ball at the Duke of Wellington's.

It seems the Royal Family were most rude, but that
the duke did not pay any attention and rather put them
to shame. Some extraordinary English women were
present.

JANUARY 1817

I am trying to collect my senses as it has been nothing
but a whirl of gaiety. Father insisted upon having a

1817] DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN

supper Christmas Day: Madame de Stael, the de Broglies,
Pozzo di Borgo, Baron Humboldt, Constant Rebecque,
Monsieur la Place, the Due de Richelieu, Chateaubriand,
Due and Duchesse de Clermont-Tonnerre, Rochefoucauld,
his son, and a host of others. We sat down thirty-eight.
Albert and Frances were allowed to appear on this occa-
sion. Mamma had a huge Christmas-tree in one of the
drawing-rooms. Small souvenirs for all. As Pozzo was
cutting off some of the presents the tree caught fire:
de Broglie pulled off his coat, I followed suit, and we
smothered the fire before it did much damage. At
midnight mamma had had prepared ''egg nog" and
"apple toddy," and we all drank each other's health
in American fashion. Madame de Stael looks very ill.
After all our guests had left I slipped off to the Maison
DorSe — quite a different company. I managed to slip
into the house at 6 o'clock without any of the servants
seeing me.

What gaiety there is in Paris this season of the year I
Everybody seems cheerful and happy, and all is >so
bright. Father and I dined on Sunday with the Prince
and Princess Galitzin. Katinka Galitzin is pretty and
full of fun; we get on capitally. She has much more
liberty than French girls, being Russian. The son of the
Due de Caumont la Force is courting her. In the evening
a reception at Court. Mamma had excused herself
on the plea of illness, but the fact is her religious prin-
ciples will not allow her to go to any big ball or Court
on Sunday. It is a little awkward for father as most
of the big Court functions are on Sunday. I forgot to
mention the splendid ceremony at Notre Dame on
Christmas Eve. The cathedral was in complete darkness
save for a few dim lamps. As the bell rang twelve strokes
a burst of light and the most beautiful singing I ever
heard. The crowd was terrific; several women fainted.
I was an hour getting out, so was late for a supper at the
DorSe. Toutes ces "petites dames I "

DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN [1817

What a gorgeous New Year! Visits, visits — nothing
but visits. My pockets are empty, tltrennes for all the
servants, presents to all the family, not forgetting my
coulisse friends, has cleared me out.
Another Court function on Sunday, which, again on
the plea of illness, mamma begged to be excused. His
Majesty noticed her absence and most graciously inquired
if she were seriously ill. Father, who is so absolutely
frank, answered: ''Sire, I regret that my wife's religious
principles prevent her going to any entertainment on
Sunday.'' The King, instead of being annoyed, answered,
" Pray convey our respects to Madame Gallatin, and tell
her we honour her principles and her courage." Father
was much relieved.

JANUABY 9

To our immense surprise, a Court courier arrived this
morning to say that his Majesty would in person call
at 1.30. No time for any preparations. Father said,
"We will receive his Majesty in absolute simplicity, as
behoves our republic." He arrived with Monsieur in
a very simple coach. Mamma, father, the children, and
myself received him under the perron in the dourtyard.
He is very infirm — ^apologized for not getting out of the
carriage. He handed mamma a large roll which was a
very fine engraving of himself. Written in English is
" To Madam Gallatin, with all the respect due to a woman
who has principles. Signed, Louis." He greatly admired
Frances, who really promises to be very beautiful. Her
complexion, like mamma's, is absolutely perfect. After
much bowing, &c. &c., he drove off. It seems no such
honour has ever been conferred by him before. Every-
body tells father the King pays more attention to him
than to anybody else. Comte de Gallatin, our cousin,
the Minister from Wurtemberg, says he is very jealous.
By the way, his story is an odd one. His father was in
the service of the Duke of Brunswick when the duke was

1817] DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN

killed at the Battle of Jena. As he was dying he said
to the King of Wiirtemberg, "I leave to you my most
trusted friend." The King took him into Us service and
created him a Count. Unfortunately, this one only has
daughters. We are on the most intimate terms with
the family. Poor mamma is quite dazed — the whole
system of living is so entirely different from that in
America; this, coupled with her want of fluency in
French, adds to her troubles. Fortunately, we have
been able to obtain the services of an excellent house-
keeper, Madame Berthal by name — a Russian who speaks
every language under the sun. Nothing ever affects
father; he is always pleased, and I have never seen him
put out at anything. I really believe if he was given
his breakfast at midnight, his dinner at 6 a.m., and his
supper at nudday he would hardly notice the difference,
I have just been seeing the footmen, coachmen, &c.,
in their new liveries. For ordinary occasions, dark blue
plush breeches, yellow waistcoats, and dark blue coats
with silver buttons, black silk stockings; state liveries,
light blue breeches, white silk stockings, yellow waistcoats,
and light blue cloth coats with broad silver braid and
silver buttons. The latter is exact, as dark blue does not
exist in heraldry.

Father is a little doubtful, fearing Americans may
object to so much show, but he feels the Court of France
requires it.

Albert's black, Peter, whom we brought from America,
showed the cook how to make buckwheat cakes. This
came as a complete surprise. Poor mamma burst out
crying when she saw them. Frances is taking dancing
lessons. I have learnt to cut a "pigeon's wing" and had
a great success at the Galitzin's on Sunday evening. . . .
Our cousin. Count Gallatin, is most kind; he and his
wife have told mamma all that is required of her at Court.
We really are in a strange position. Father represents a
new republic, and with all his aristocratic relations here

DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN [1817

much more is expected of mamma, but her manners are
so simple and so utterly unaffected that father begs her
not to change them in any way.

An accident happened to mamma's berline to-day.
Turning from the Faubourg St. Honor6 into the Rue des
£curies d'Artois, one of the hind wheels caught on the
high kerb and was wrenched off. Fortunately, the
horses are very quiet and were not frightened. Frances
was a little cut by the glass of the window she was sitting
by. The English Ambassadress was passing at the time,
and very kindly insisted upon taking mamma to the
Embassy, which is close by. After having Frances'
face seen to she drove mamma home; it was most
gracious of her.

• •••.•

I have made the acquaintance of a young American
who is studying painting, Grayson by name. He is
going to introduce me to the "grUette world"; I am
looking forward to it. We go to one of the students'
balls on Sunday night. I must keep this very quiet, as
I fear father would be much annoyed. He does not mind
how much I go out in the grand monde but he dislikes
anything like low life. He never had a youth himself;
he was penned .up in Geneva, and when he went to
America he lived a simple life in the wild parts. I would
not care to do anything to annoy him.
My griaeUe ball was not a success — ^the fact is, it was
not fit for any gentleman to go to; I am not particular
but there are limits. The men were much worse than
the women. How can they degrade themselves to such
an extent I They left nothing to the imagination. I
was determined to stop to the end, and even went to
supper at a restaurant at the Halle. I will never forget
the horrible orgie. There were Russian, Spanish, Italian,
and Prussian students; they might have been wild
beasts from their behaviour. This has been a lesson to
me; I am glad of the experience and will profit by it.

1817] DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN

At the EIys6e Bourbon last evening there was a little
singing vaudeville played by children which was very
pretty; then supper, and we danced a corUre-danse,
which gave me a chance to cut my "pigeon's wings."
I cut eight in succession when my turn came as advancing
cavalier. Madame de Boigne, in that horrid voice of
hers, said, ^'Tris bien, man jeune AmSricain." How I
dislike that woman! I cannot help it, she is nothing
but pretension. I believe she thinks herself the most
important person in France.

I dined at the Russian Embassy yesterday and made
such a fool of myself. It was a delightful dinner, and
I took in Princess Katinka Galitzin. There was a large
plat montS of nougat. When it was passed to me the
other guests had only taken off some of the ornaments.
Princess K. wanted some of the nougat, so I boldly stuck
it with a silver fork; I did not think it was so brittle —
bang went the whole thing, scattering the nougat in all
directions. If the floor had only opened I Bits of the
nougat stuck in the ladies' hair, on their necks and
shoulders. I was filled with confusion. Pozzo di Borgo
exclaimed, "Voila I'AmSricain qui aUaque la citadelle
de Riufsie" This caused a general laugh and put every-
body in a good humour. I have not got over it yet.
I think the ladies forgave me as I am so young.
Mamma is so tiresome. When we were children, every
Saturday night we had to take a powder and in the
morning a black draught — always administered by
mamma in person. She really forgets I am no longer a
child; it is all very well for Prances and Albert. I had
a bad headache for several days, and asked mamma's
maid to give me a powder. To my horror, at 6 o'clock
this morning (without knocking) in walked mamma with
a black draught in her hand and a frilled nightcap on
her head. No use resisting; but as she left the room I
said, " Merci, Madame rAmbassadrice.'* I don't think
she quite likqd the tone I said it in. . . .

DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN il8l7

TUESDAY

I am in horrible disgrace. The Russian Ambassador
gave mamma a beautiful cat. It is always in a large
basket in her boudoir. Yesterday some people were
coming to dSjeuner. I was early and alone in the boudoir
where we always assemble when en petite commitUe.
Mamma had been sent a quantity of Madonna lilies
which were in a vase. I do not know what possessed me,
but I took one up and commenced to ''annunciate"
the cat in solemn tones. I had my back to the door,
when I suddenly heard my name pronounced — "James,"
but in such a tone as only mamma can say it. I was
saved for the moment by the Due and Duchesse de
Clermont-Tonnerre being announced. I hardly dared
speak at table as I knew I was in disgrace. Dear mamma's
French is very doubtful, and she never can get a name
right. There was a pause in the general conversation.
She turned to the duke and said, "How is Madame de
Bid6," meaning Madame de Bud6, the grandmother
of the duchess. This was really too much for me. I
exploded, and fortunately choked, and had hurriedly
to leave the table. When I returned naturally I apolo-
gized, but I might have fallen into the middle of Stone-
henge from the expression of their faces. Only dear
father had a twinkle in his eye. He I know will get me
out of this scrape.

Mamma sent for me before supper and I had a mauvais
([uari d'keure. I humbly apologized and was most re-
pentant. I then threw my arms around her and gave her
a good hug. She gave me six tracts, one for each day
of the week; I promised to read them. The funniest
fact of it is that Mourussa, the cat, gave birth to six
kittens in the night. I only suggested to father that
one might be called Annunciata. He did not answer
but looked out of the window.

I am very sorry for mamma; I can see she is not
happy. Father is so occupied that I do not think he

1817] DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN

notices it. It is hard for her: she speaks so little French,
has really no friends whom she cares for, and her position
is a very difficult one. The Court is so hemmed in by
etiquette to which she is not accustomed. She does not
understand the ways of Frenchwomen of the grand
monde and is continually shocked. Indeed I am not
surprised the only women she finds anything in common
with are the ladies of the English Embassy and some
of the English residents in Paris. There are few Ameri-
cans, and those that are here are mostly in commerce
and without education. I went with her two days ago
to call on a Mrs. P., the wife of a very rich but common
American. They have recently bought a very fine hotel
in the Rue de Varennes; they sold all the beautiful old
furniture and have refurnished it in execrable taste, but
she is evidently very proud of it and insisted upon showing
us all the reception-rooms. In one room there was a
large bronze replica of a statue by ''John of Bologna.'^
For something to say, I admired it. She folded her
arms and, with a palpable wink, said, " Bologny done it,
but I am going to have pantaloons made for it when I
receive." Mamma's face was a study. She relaxed into
a smile when the poor woman offered her molasses candy
and dough-nuts, saying she made them herself to remind
her of home.

Now that the gaieties are over I am hard at work
again; the continual writing, copying of documents,
and so forth is very trying. Father cannot pin the
Due de Richelieu down to anything definite.

FEBRUARY

To father's great delight, Lafayette dined here last week,
Baron Humboldt, Madame de Stael, Due and Duchesse
Plaisance, Monsieur la Place, Pozzo di Borgo, and the
de Broglies. A rather amusing incident. We were all
assembled in the drawing-room. Monsieur de Lafayette
had not arrived. Monsieur la Place was talking to me

100

DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN [1817

when Lafayette was announced. La Place turned very
pale. Just as dinner was announced he went up to
father begging leave to retire, as he had been ill and
felt very faint. It seems he found it impossible to sit
at the same table with Lafayette on account of his
relations to the Bourbons. This amused Madame de
Stael very much, and I think the dinner was gayer
without him. Madame Bonaparte has announced her
arrival from America in May.

There has not been a lull in the gaieties, which I thought
were over. Invitations keep pouring in. Mamma only
accepts those which she is obliged to as it fatigues her so
much; father the same, so I have to represent the family
on all occasions. When we are at home en families
which both mamma and father prefer, I find it intolerably
dull. They both read or write and rarely speak. Frances
goes to bed very early, so does Albert. Mamma retires
at 10.30; father sits up nearly all night. About 11
o'clock I begin to yawn, and off I go, but not to bed; I
generally do not get home until 3 and 4 in the morning.
I hate this sort of deception. When I am twenty-one
I will openly avow my sins.

Skating all day on the Petit Lac in the Bois de Bologne;
I enjoy it immensely. It seems so funny, hardly any
of the French ladies can even stand on their skates.
The men are really too absurd.

A few Russians and Poles skate well, but all are very
cheerful. Large bonfires are lighted on the bank so
that we can warm ourselves. The Galitzins brought
some punch and cakes. They allow their daughter to
skate, so do the Ourousoffs. No French girls, only
married women. The G.'s sent two beautiful sledges
that a man can push from behind — one in the shape of
a springing tiger, and it is lined with tiger-skin and
cushions of the same. The other, a large swan, is most
graceful; this is lined with blue velvet. They have only
just arrived from Russia. We men in turn push the

101

1817] DIARY OP JAMES GALLATIN

different ladies about on the ice. I don't think I cared
much about it. The King's coach passed at the very
fast pace that it is always driven; much to our surprise,
it returned and stopped for his Majesty to watch us.
We — of course, the men — uncovered, but he most
graciously sent one of his gentlemen to say that we were
not to notice him but go on with our sport, which he
wished to watch. He stopped quite half an hour. It is
such a pity that the beautiful Bois de Boulogne has been
destroyed 1 Most of the fine trees have been cut down
and most of the undergrowth. This was done by the
soldiers of the Allies.

I have made some excellent friends of my own age or
a little older. The Due de Guiche, the son of the Due
de Gramont, Rochefoucauld, whom I knew when I was
here in 1815, Balliet La Tour, Puys6gur, are my intimates.
I have tried to make friends with some of the attaches
of the English Embassy, but I am sorry to say they do
not seem to care for us but seem to shun us as if we were
at war. Later others may come with a different spirit,
as they are often changing. Nobody could be more
gracious than the Duke of Wellington. Father had met
him so often at Madame de Stael's; she has that won-
derful gift of bringing people together and putting them
at once at their ease. I had what might have been a
most unpleasant adventure last evening. . I had noticed
several times a very pretty what I thought was a grisette
in the gardens of the Palais Royal. She didn't seem
to mind my rather bold way of staring at her — ^in fact,
she smiled. As I am always ready for adventure, I wrote
on a bit of paper asking for a rendezvous. I dropped it
just as she was approaching me. I saw her pick it up.
She did not look at me, but shortly after a man, raising
his hat, handed me a note, only a few words, making
an appointment at a house in the Rue St. Honors for
10.30 in the evening. Naturally I was there. An old
woman met me at the door. Putting her finger to her

102

DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN [1817

lips and bidding me to follow her, she mounted to the
second floor. Letting us in with a key, I found myself
in a most beautiful apartment. She threw open the
door, and to my amazement there was my griaette with
a child of about two years on her lap and one a year or
so older standing by her side. All were beautifully
dressed, and sitting by a little table was a man. He
rose, and with a bow said, "Monsieur, you are most
welcome to our humble home. My wife has kept the
children out of bed expressly for you to see them."
Imagine my deep mortification. She is Mademoiselle

R of the Th64tre Fran9ais. It was a lesson I will

not forget and which I richly deserved. They both
begged me to honour them with a visit at any time. She
knew perfectly well who I was. I will certainly not
forget them. We are getting very near Lent now, when,
of course, we will be very quiet. I love the spring in
Paris — ^the Champs Elysfies is so beautiful with the trees
and brilliant sunshine. I have been fencing a great
deal lately, not that I anticipate a duel; in fact, I would
not be allowed to fight on account of father's position —
not that I want to in the least, but I think fencing gives
great ease, grace, and balance. I took the children on
Sunday to Versailles. The great fountains played. I
took Frances to see them; they are a wonderful sight.
Of course, mamma would not go, as it was Sunday. We
lost Albert and did not find him for several hours. When
he appeared he had his hat covered with insects and
butterflies on pins that he had caught. I made him
throw them all away. He is really incorrigible; he
ought to be sent to a boarding-school or college.

MARCH 1817

Now that Lent has come we have much more leisure,
no Court entertainments of any kind. Father has received
an intimation that he will be required to go to the
Netherlands in July to help Mr. Eustace in his negotiations

108

1817] DIARY OP JAMES GALLATIN

re indemnity, &c. &c. He does not care much about
going but never shirks his duty. I will go with him.
Madame de Stael is very ill. She sent for father to-day
and had a long conference with him, principally about
her property. He had advised her to place all her
monetary affairs in the hands of Monsieur Rothschild
of London. She did not take his advice at the time
and now repents it. It seems she is much troubled
about what she should do for Mr. Rocca (her husband).
Her great love for her daughter is overwhelming; she
wants to leave her the bulk of her property. At one
moment — strong woman as she is — she talks of approach-
ing death; the next moment of the house she has taken
and the entertainments she intends to give. Madame
R^camier has a beautiful hotel in the Rue de (iUegible).
She receives on Thursday evenings, always reclining on
a chaise4ongue. She is certainly very brilliant and witty.
She does not like Madame de Boigne and calls her une
pritentieuse. She says, "Madame de B, only * acknowl-
edges two families, that of the Bon Dieu and the
Osmonds."

I think I have forgotten to mention the attempt on
the life of the Duke of Wellington. As he was driving
home in the Champs Elysfes a shot was fired, but for-
tunately missed him — in fact, the bullet has not been
found. Some malicious people say he had the shot fired
himself. Naturally he has lots of enemies. So great
a man as he is can brush such insinuations aside without
giving them a thought. He certainly is the most impor-
tant personage in France at present, and if anything
happened to him it would be a dire calamity. Indeed,
it is very odd how persistently rude the Royal Family
are to him. He never shows the slightest displeasure
and is always dignified and courtesy itself. Father has
the greatest admiration for him, and believes him to be
a born diplomatist as well as a great soldier and leader
of men.

104

DIARY OP JAMES GALLATIN [1817

I have just heard that a man called Cantillon has been
arrested. They say he is but a man of straw and that
his arrest was made to appease the English and that he
will never be tried. The extraordinary thing is that,
with the exception of the Due de Berri, not one of the
Royal Family expressed the slightest sympathy or con-
gratulated the Duke on his escape.

MARCH 26

The Chamber closed to-day. I am getting a little tired
of Lent, mamma will keep it so strictly. I see at times
it rather annoys father, but he does not say anything.
I can never quite make out what his ideas are on religion.
He is a Calvinist and was brought up when a child by
Mile Pictet very strictly. I think Voltaire and his ideas
greatly influenced him. I do not care what his religion
is, nobody could be better than he is. Always ^o gentle,
smoothing over everything and keeping peace, thoughtful
for everybody, even for the servants — could there be a
better man? I only wish I could approach him in any
way. Mamma was a Miss Nicholson; I must have some
of the "Old Nick" in me from that side of the family.

MARCH 29

Father to-day told me if I could find an agreeable travel-
ling companion that he would give me the money to go
to Bourg to see Jacques Coeur's house, which is so beau-
tiful. I fear my travelling companion must be of the
male sex, although father did not stipulate this. It is
rather a long journey, quite three days to get there.
I was showing Frances to-day how I could tame her
canary. I drew a chalk-line on the table, caught the
little bird, and laid him on his back on the line. He
remained perfectly quiet. Frances was delighted. She
put out her hand to take him up. The poor little thing did
not move — he was dead. I was so sorry. Poor Frances
cried bitterly. I went out at once and bought her
another, but she is not comforted.

105

1817] DIARY OP JAMES GALLATIN

APRIL 15

I dined with father at the Duke of Wellington's yester^
day. Great magnificence, the plate gold. It is the
Royal plate sent from England for his use. Shoals of
powdered lackeys in the Wellington liveries, eight gold
candelabra on the table. In the centre of the table a
huge gold basin filled with flowers. All the service silver
with the sweets and dessert, and then all was gold.
Prince Talleyrand was present, the Due de Rohan,
Duchesse de Courlande (niece of Talleyrand, who seems
devoted to him). Due and Duchesse de Duras, the Galit-
zins, Caumont la Forces, de Broglies, Comte and Comtesse
D'Orsay, Due and Duchesse de Grammont, Comtesse de
Boigne and her brother Osmond, the English Ambassador,
Chevalier Stuart, Baron Vincent (Austria), the Due and
Duchesse de Fernan-Nunez (Spain), Baron Fagel (Pays
Bas), Comte and Comtesse Soltz (Prussia), Pozzo di Borgo
(Russia), Marquis Alfieri (Sardinia), Prince Castelcicala
(Deux Siciles), Comte and Comtesse de Gallatin (Wiirtem-
berg), and a host of others. The Duke was in fine spirits
and received congratulations on all sides.

APRIL

At last the Orleans family have been granted permission
to return to France. They are installed at the Palais
Royal. They were not well received by the King; in
fact, the only members of the Royal Family who greeted
them cordially were the Due and Duchesse de Berri.
I went officially with father to the Palais Royal after
he had requested an audience. We were received in
the simplest manner possible. They seem like any
ordinary bourgeois family. The Duke* is short, marked

* Louis Philippe d'Orldans, Due d'Orl^ans, born September 6, 1773,
reigned as Louis Philippe I, died in England (to which country he fled
in 1848) August 26, 1850. He was the son of Philippe Egalit^, Duo
d'Orl^ans, who voted for the death of Louis XVI.

106

DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN [1817

Bourbon features, decidedly common-looking. The
Duchess is not pretty but most gracious and charming.
Mademoiselle as well. We stopped quite half an hour,
his Highness asking many questions about America, of
which he seems to have great knowledge. He spoke of
Monsieur de Lafayette and was au courani with father's
intimacy with him. Driving home, father, who rarely
expresses any opinion about people, said, "That man is
an intriguer; I would not trust him." We had seen
and been presented to him in England three years ago.
A Court reception to-morrow.

I had rather an unfortunate adventure some few nights
since, but it I hope will never get to father's ears. After
going to the opera, a charming little danaettse, whose
acquaintance I had only just made, asked me if I would
sup with her at her apartment. Much to my surprise
I found the greatest luxury — some personage evidently
in the background. A round table with converts for
two. We had just commenced to sup when I heard a
noise in the antechamber. My charmer exclaimed,
" Mon Dieu, je suis perdue, cachez-^oovs.'^ I rushed behind
a curtain. The door opened, and to my dismay I
recognized the voice of the Due de Berri. He said,
"So mademoiselle has an amarU.*' Clare tremblingly
answered, " Non, Monseigneur, it was only mamma who
I was giving a little supper to as you did not arrive."
He asked, "What has become of her?" "She has gone,
Monseigneur, as she was not properly dressed to receive
your Highness." By bad luck I had left my hat on
a chair. The Duke picked it up and said with a laugh,
"So, madame, wire mire wears a man's hat, which
she has forgotten." I felt it was time for me to discover
myself, no matter what the consequences might be. I
stepped out from behind the curtain, saying, "Mon-
seigneur, it is my hat; I am mademoiselle's mother."
He broke into fits of laughter, poor Clare into tears. He
laughed so heartily that I could not help joining him;

107

18171 DIARY OP JAMES GALLATIN

he then became serious and in the kindest manner said,
''Young man, you have acted in a most honourable
manner not to play eavesdropper. Tout est pardonnS.
Let us sup together." Clare rang and ordered another
convert to be laid, and we had a most cheerful supper.
When he rose to leave he begged me to accompany him,
which, of course, I did. Going down the stairs he took
me by the arm and said most kindly, ''I am really the
one to blame; here we have met as Mr. Smith and
Mr. Jones," adding, "in fact, you have unknowingly
done me a great favour, as I was most anxious to get rid
of Mile Clare; you have given me the opportunity. I
am your debtor, but do not forget I am Mr. Smith."
He always speaks English to me, even at Court.
I have not seen Clare again and do not intend doing
so. I met the Due yesterday. He burst out laughing
and said, with a twinkle in his eye, " Have you seen your
friend, Mr. Jones, lately? Mr. Smith, I hear, has gone
back to England."

The Prince de Condfi is very ill. His son, the Due
de Bourbon, it seems, leads the most extraordinary life —
only cares for people of the lower classes, shows himself
in public with the commonest of drabs, hates royalty,
and is unfit for decent society.

PARIS

Much to my delight. Lord Huntly (now Duke of Gordon)
called to-day. He is very old but looks wonderfully
well. He said, "You look a man now; when I last saw
you you were a child." He is a very great favourite at
Court. Father went again to-day to see Madame de Stael.
He came back very depressed, as he fears she will not
last long. She was very excited, talking about Jacques
Coeur, from whom she is descended through the Gallatins.
Coeur was certainly an extraordinary man. I never
heard that any of our family benefited by his fortune.
I intend some day going to Bourges to see his palace,

108

DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN [1817

which they say is the finest Renaissance palace in exist-
ence. If Jeanne d'Arc had not had those absurd visions
we might be rich. Madame de Stael says that both she
and father get their brains from Coeur; they certainly
got nothing else. Father does not inherit the latter's
love of show. I really believe he would be perfectly
happy in one room with any amount of strong segars
and a few clever men to discuss abstruse questions with.
I am glad to say he has a certain amount of pride, which
makes him live in a proper style, which his present
position demands.

JULY

Father was sent for this morning as Madame de Stael
is worse. He is much distressed, as he has the most
profound admiration for her.

JULY 18

Madame de Stael died yesterday. She is to be buried
at Coppet; so, at least, is the present intention. We are
obliged to leave for Brussels to-morrow, greatly to father's
regret, as he would have liked to have paid his last
respects to her by going to Coppet for the funeral. He
considers her loss a public one, that she was a great
power and that she had more influence on public opinion
than any other person excepting the actual Ministers in
office. Her mind, instead of diminishing with years,
improved, and she became more and more brilliant. The
Duchesse de Broglie is inconsolable.
I saw Auguste de Stael this morning.
Arrived yesterday in Brussels. Are not well lodged
in the Rue de la Loi. Father wishes to confer with
Baron Fagel. After a week of idleness the King has
decided that the negotiations must be held at the Hague.
After all, we need not have come here until much later.
We are stopping here for several weeks before going to

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1817] DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN

the Hague. It is extremely dull; everybody out of
town, houses shut up, very hot, and absolutely nothing
for me to do. Father has given me permission to go to
Ostend for some bathing, which I certainly will take
advantage of.

JULY «9: OSTEND

Arrived here to-day, a lovely place in the Dunes. I am
at a very comfortable hostelry, the Hotel d'AUemagne.
The bathing splendid. Full of all the bourgeoisie from
Brussels, Ghent, Bruges, &c, &c. Very amusing watch-
ing the pacquets coming from England. The people of
the place rough Flemish — ^loud, coarse voices but good-
natured and healthy. Fishing is the chief industry.

AUGUST 8

I went to Bruges yesterday and stopped the night — such
an interesting place but falling into decay. Wonderfid
buildings and a beautiful cathedral with such a sweet
chime of bells. I have made friends with a nice English-
man, a Mr. Marchmont, who went with me. It is sad
to see a place once so opulent and of such importance
practically finished. It has played in the past such an
important part in history. Ostend interests me on
account of the siege. One of our ancestors was killed
there. In the "Etrennes de la Noblesse," which is the
peerage of France before the Revolution, volume 1778,
is the following anecdote hietoriqiLe:

"Franfois de GaUcUin fvt blessi mortelment au siige
d'Ostende — ft Vattaque du chemin convert oil il avoit comr
battu avec la plus grande valeur, d la iMe des trois compagnies
de Grenadiers du RSgiment de la Cour-avrChanlre, qu'U
commandoit, et qui y furent 6cra>s6s — on lui coupa la cuisse
— quelques instants avant sa mort on lui demanda ses
derniers volontSs pour son fils, encore enfarU: 'Qu*il
suive mon exemple,' repondit il.''

110

DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN [1817

Father has written to me to join him at the Hague on
August 15, so I will stop here until then. I forgot to
mention that when I was at Brussels I visited the plains
of Waterloo. I shut my eyes and tried to picture the
whole scene of the battle. I cannot but feel pity for
the Emperor — to have risen to the great heights that he
did and now a prisoner at such a horrible place as St.
Helena. He was a very great man and he rose alone
without any help. He, I am certain, had great magnetic
force. I think his family were a great drag on him. His
brothers, with one exception, were full of greed.
My friend Marchmont has not turned out quite as
nice as I thought he was. He asked me yesterday if I
woidd lend him one hundred francs, saying he was
expecting money from England. He did not turn up
at dSjeuner this morning, and when I asked for him mine
host with surprise said, "Did not monsieur know that
Monsieur Marchmont left by the packet this morning
for England?" With this he handed me a letter —
it was only a few lines — which showed me what a dupe
I had been: "Young man, never lend money to a
stranger in a foreign country," signed "Marchmont."
I hope some day to meet my fine gentleman.

AUGUST 15: THE HAGUE

Arrived here last night, but father will not arrive until
to-morrow. We are lodged in a very nice house which
adjoins one occupied by Mr. Eustace.* We are to eat
with him. Lucien is with me. If Brussels was dull,
what is this place? It is absolutely dead. Very clean
outwardly, but they tell me the people are dirty and that
it is all outward show, that the interiors of the houses
are very untidy — not a bath in any of the houses and
no public baths like in Paris.

* American minister at The Hague.
Ill

1817] DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN

AUGUST 20

Very little work to do at present. I had to confess to

father how I had been duped at Ostend. He said he

hoped it was a lesson to me, but at once handed me five

napoleons.

AUGUST 28: THE HAGUE

A charming surprise. A Baron Constant R6becque
whose mother was born Gallatin, called to see father.
They have a beautifid place in the country. He invited
us to stop with him. Father cannot leave but accepted
for me. I go there to-morrow.

SEPTEMBER 2

I came back from the R6becque's this morning. It is a
lovely place. I was sorry it was not the tulip season as
they have many of them. We shot some hares and foxes;
the latter, it seems, do a lot of damage. What would
they say to this in England, where a fox is sacred ?
I must say the Dutch nobility are delightful, so simple and
cordial. I felt at home at once. Madame de R6becque
was so pleased to see anybody of her name. She said
if father could not spare the time to go and see her she
would go to the Hague to see him. I find all what we
call "hot cakes" in America are of Dutch origin. We
have "waffles" and "griddle cakes" every day for
breakfast. Dutch girls are not pretty. They say they
make good wives. I am not surprised as they cannot
have any other temptations. Two, Mile von Briennen
and Mile Bentinck, all round and fat.

THE HAGUE

Hard work now. It seems they laugh at the idea of an
indemnity, which annoys father very much. He feels
his mission is quite useless. We will soon go back to
Paris. I am delighted, as it is not gay here.

lis

DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN [1817
SEPTEMBER

We leave on the 22nd. First pay a visit to the R^becques.
Father is the most extraordinary person. After all his
trouble coming here, he has only asked for his actual
out-of-pocket expenses. Mr. Eustace says it is quite
absurd. He cares less for money than anybody I have
ever heard of. I only discovered a short time since that
he had paid all his grandmother's debts in Geneva. She
was a most reckless and extravagant person, and certainly
did not consider him in any way.

SEPTEMBER 80: PARIS

Back again in Paris. Mamma and the children are at
Fontainebleau. We join them in a few days. Mr.
Sheldon must have a holiday, so our stay in the country
will be very short. Rumours of a change of Government.
The Duke Decazes* is spoken of. They say Monsieur is
intriguing against the King.

OCTOBER

Fontainebleau is deadly didl — nothing to do but ride in
the forest. Of course, it is very beautiful, but I soon tire
of it as I ride alone. The Chasse will soon begin, I
am glad to say. We have a very comfortable house on
the outskirts of the town quite close to the forest.

OCTOBER 12

The Marquis de Breteuil sent me an invitation to hunt
with him. I have just come back. It was a chaase au
sanglier. The wild boars abound in the forest and at
times are very dangerous. It was all very new to me
and struck me as rather theatrical. The boarhounds
were very fine, a large pack — the huntsmen, &c., all

* Monsieur Elie Decazes, bom September 28, 1780, died 1860.
After the assasBinatioii of the Due de Berri in 1820 he was created
due and given the English Embassy; was a great favorite of Louis

xvni.

lis

1817] DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN

in the King's livery. Huge cors de chaase, which they
put their heads through as one does through a life-pre-
server; at every opportunity possible they blow blasts
on these latter. When a poor "piggy" was killed his
dying moments were cheered by a livdy tune played on
at least six of the horns; still it is an amusement for me.
There were several ladies of Court in the Royal Costume at
the Chasae, which really made a beautif id scene. I expected
every moment to see the curtain come down as it does
at the play. I believe in the time of Louis XIV they
followed the hunt in huge gilt and painted coaches.

NOVEMBER 6

We stopped until the end of October at Fontainebleau
and are now again installed in the Rue de TUniversitg.
Paris is very gay. I love the boulevards — so gay and
everybody seems so cheerful. What a light-hearted
people the French are. I am glad to say mamma seems
a little happier. I am sure she will end by liking Paris.

NOVEMBER 9

We have had a sheaf of dispatches from home, which
I have to go through and copy. No wonder my hand-
writing is becoming illegible, my fingers are so cramped.
The Caumont la Forces have a large supper to-night to
which we are bidden. It has been so dull and cold all
day, I think we are going to have a downfall of snoW.

NOVEMBER 10

We could hardly get home from the la Forces last night.
It had rained a little and then came a frost making the
streets like glass; in fact, they call it ver glas. The
coachman and footman had to get down and lead the
horses. I did also, and could hardly keep my own footing.
Fortunately, the horses had been roughed. We were
quite two hours doing a journey which ordinarily takes
less than half an hour. Father has sent to Geneva for a

DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN [1817

fine gold watch for me for my Christmas present. He
certainly spoils me.

I often wonder if anybody got hold of my diary after
I am dead what an ass they would think me. I will leave
strict instructions to burn it. Frances and I are both
learning a new dance, the " Schottische." It is very pretty
and quite the fashionable rage.

NOVEMBER 20

I was presented to a Madame Chapelle last night at the
opera. She is a daughter of the Regent Orleans and
Madame de Genlis. She is not pretty but has great charm
of manner — ^a grande dame. She has asked me to call
on her. She receives on Friday evening. They say all
Paris goes to her. Mamma allowed me to take Frances
for a walk on the boulevard yesterday. She is so young
it does not make any matter; were she eighteen it would
be impossible. Fancy the customs of di£Perent countries.
Here we are hemmed in by Etiquette. I have a bad
toothache and am going to bed.

NOVEMBER 21

I waked this morning and my right cheek felt as if it
were going to burst. I got up and looked in the mirror.
Horrors, I did not recognize myself! I cannot see my
right eye and my cheek is like an apple-dumpling. I am
going to send for some leeches. I sent Lucien for my
breakfast. Of course mamma thought I was ill and
arrived with her medicine-chest. She said in any case
a powder would do me good. I put my foot down firmly
and said I would not take one. She left the room saying,
"It is all biliousness." As if a swollen face was bile!
She does annoy me. She even asked me what I had
been eating.

NOVEMBER 25

My face quite normal again and I went out to-day. It
was very cold, so I thought it best to go quietly and see

115

1817] DIARY OP JAMES GALLATIN

Mile Laflage of the opera. She had a great wood-fire,
and I showed her how to make toast as we do in America.
I did not go home until she had to go to the opera. She
is in the ballet and did not have to leave until 8
o'clock. I got home in time for supper, found the kitchen
chimney on fire, a great crowd, and a ''file" passing
buckets all the way from the Seine up one side and down
the other. It was soon put out. Very little damage done
but all the supper ruined. We had to make the best
of it, and ate cake and bread and milk.

DECEMBER 1

Already preparations are being made for Christmas. We
are going to have a Christmas party. I proposed bobbing
for apples and snap-dragon. For once my family
approved of my idea. We are going to have a very
young party for Frances. Mamma enjoys arranging
this sort of thing. I am trying to think of something
new to amuse them. I proposed kiss-in-the-ring and hunt-
the-slipper. Mamma vetoed both as improper — so voUh.

DECEMBER 8

Last night a splendid ball at Court. Mamma was very
fine: all Madame de Gallatin- Vaudenet's jewels — which
were all poor father inherited from her; in fact, he had
voluntarily paid all her immense debts — also some fine
lace. Mamma's train was purple velvet with white lace.
The diamonds are all mounted in Louis XV settings.
One huge aigrette with briolet diamonds in her turban,
which was of gold tissue. On her forehead a ferronniire
of diamonds — beautiful brooches. Her dress was gold
and purple striped tissue. The Landgrave of Hesse
Cassel gave Madame Gallatin- Vaudenet most of the
jewels.

The Duchesse d'AngoulSme was regal in white with
a train entirely of ermine. She was absolutely covered
with jewels — pearls and diamonds. She is the most

116

DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN [1817

royal-looking personage one can possibly imagine. It
was dreadfully crowded. All was over at midnight.

DECEMBER U

I have decided on my surprise for our Christmas party.
I am having a huge imitation plum-pudding made of
cardboard. It is large enough to hold a little girl of ten
dressed as a fairy. She will distribute flowers and
sweeties. Each package is to have a small flag on it;
the flags are to be of all nations.

DECEMBER 15

Nothing but balls every night. I am quite worn out.
Fortunately there is hardly any work to be done for
father, or I would have to go to bed early.

DECEMBER 24

All is now ready for our Christmas party. The ball-
room looks very nice, and I keep even the stable men
frotUing to get the floor in fine condition. Supper
is to be before we dance and play our jeux d'innocence.
Frances is so excited, we will not let her see anything of
our preparation. I tell her unless she keeps quiet she
will have a red nose.

DECEMBER 96

Everything went oflf capitally. After supper, which
was 8 o'clock, we started our game. Snap-dragon, a
novelty, was a great success. We were allowed to play
kiss-in-the-ring, suppressing the kiss; it was like
"Hamlet" minus the Prince of Denmark. Of course, it
was mamma. My plum-pudding was even a surprise to
mamma. At 11 o'clock I had a great bell rung. In
marched four footmen carrying the pudding on high.
I took a great knife as if to cut it, and, pulling a string
at the same time, it fell open. The little fairy was so
dainty. I had her taught some verses called "Noel/'

117

1818] DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN

which she declaimed as only a child can. After the
little packages were distributed, we danced a cantre"
danse. The young girls were all so pretty I wanted to
kiss them all. The poor little child who was in the
plum-pudding burst into tears and would not be com-
forted. She wanted her mother, who is only a dresser
at the opera, and who was to call for her at midnight,
not being able to leave her work before then. Mamma
took her on her lap and comforted her until she fell
asleep from sheer exhaustion. When her mother did
arrive, father, with his usual kindness, sent her home in
a coach which he had ordered. All the young people
loaded her with bon-bons, &c. I gave her a great big
doll which I had bought for the purpose. She will be
happy when she wakes to-morrow morning.

JANUARY 1. 1818: NEW YEAR'S DAY
After we had all drunk each other's health in egg nog
I went out to commence the New Year — I fear badly.
I don't think I'll record in my diary where I went.

JANUARY

A delightfid dinner and savierie at the Pictet de
Rochment's. He is the Bavarian chargS d'affaires and
a connexion of father's. Mile Pictet, who brought
father up in his early days, was his aunt. Pozzo di Borgo,
Comte and Comtesse de Grotz (Hanover), Marquis and
Marquise Alfieri (a descendant of the great Italian poet —
he represents Sardinia here). Count and Countess Goltz
(he represents Prussia), and the Chevalier Stuart, as
they call him here, the English Ambassador — in fact,
quite a diplomatic gathering. For the sauterie, Comte and
Comtesse de Gallatin, who brought their two daughters,
the Prince and Princesse Castelcicala (Deux Sickles), the
Baillet-Latours, Comte and Comtesse Caumont la Force,
the Galitzins. and many others. There was a pavane

118

DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN [1818

dance by six young men and six ladies, a contre-danse
and several "minuets," then a "Roger de Coverley"
proposed by the English Ambassadress; but few knew
the dance, but on once seeing the four first couples they
quickly acquired it and acquitted themselves very well
amongst much laughter. When there is a gathering
of young people of this kind it is much gayer. Even
father, Pozzo di Borgo, and the Chevalier Stuart joined
in the dance. I had for partner Katinka Galitzin. My
newly acquired "pigeon's wings" were much applauded.
We supped at midnight. Mamma slept in the coach
going home.

JANUARY 6

Splendid skating on the petit lac, which was reserved.
I got home just in time to dress to go to a twelfth-night
party at Comtesse de Gallatin's. After cutting the
gateau du roi, Puys6gur drew the bean in his bit and
Mile Caumont la Force found the other one. They
were duly clothed in red velvet mantles trimmed with
ermine, gold paper crowns on their heads, and they
were the reigning king and queen for the evening. It
was put to the vote for the Court places. I was voted
to be the Court fool and wore a fool's cap. As I con-
sidered it an insult, I determined to fool to my heart's
content. After the king and queen had been escorted
in state to their throne the revels commenced. Minuets,
pavanes, mazurkas, were danced in rapid succession.
Supper was announced at 11 o'clock. I slipped out
unobserved, got hold of one of the footmen (whose palm
I greased), and got him to get me a large foot-tub full
of warm water; this I had placed facing the throne.
I enlisted the aid of two of my cronies, placed a chair on
either side of the tub, covering the whole with a quilt
which I got my footman to procure for me. Seating my
friends, one on one side and one on the other, I told
them that sudden death would overtake them if they

119

1818] DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN

dared to move. I returned to the supper-room looking
perfectly innocent. We then escorted the king and queen
back to their respective thrones. I craved their majesty's
permission to try a rebel for Use majesU. They at
once granted my fool's request. I then told the trumpeter
to sound three times, and the herald to call upon Monsieur
d'Osmond* to appear before their majesties to be tried
and sentenced. Osmond is full of his own importance.
He approached, and was told by me to seat himself
between the two guards. I had told them the moment
he did so to at once rise; this they did, and plump went
Osmond into the bath. It really succeeded better
than I had anticipated. He did not at first realize he
was sitting in the water, but when he did he tried to
get out of the tub, making an awful splashing; I never
heard so much laughter. Poor Osmond stood dripping,
a sorry figure and raging; the more he raged, the more
we all laughed. When early in the evening I was voted
to be the fool, he had said in his horrid sarcastic way,
"That rflte exactly fits you." I could not refrain from
going up to him and saying, " You now have a rSle that
fits you like a bathing-dress." You see, on the Jour
des Rois nobody must lose their temper, so he had to
grin and bear it. He went in the kitchen to be dried
but did not appear again. My cousin. Count Gallatin,
tried to look serious and, taking me by the ear, repri-
manded me, saying, ''That was quite sufficient to cause
war between France and America." I answered, "For
the evening I am a fool, and it was a fool's prank."
Anyhow, no more was said about it, and I think all
enjoyed the joke.

JANUARY 9

We had a very large supper-party last night, but extremely

dull. It may have been very intellectual, it undoubtedly

* Monsieur d'Osmond, son of the Marquis d'Osmond and brother
of the Comtesse de Boigne.

120

DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN [1818

was, but my intellect was not sufficiently cultivated to
appreciate it; but I saw how happy father was and that
quite resigned me to my fate. Poor mamma did not
understand a word of the general conversation, but kept
nodding her head and smiling in the most intelligent
manner until I feared the feathers would fall out of her
turban. Monsieur de Lafayette gave a long harangue
on the subject of liberty. I think father was a little
uneasy, as it does not do for people to express their
opinion too openly at an embassy. Pozzo only laughed
at the whole thing. Our silver, which was the service
of poor General Moreau, made a very fine show. Mamma
has great taste — ^the flowers and fruit on the table were
beautifidly arranged. Madame R^amier recited some
poems in the most affected and stilted style. I really
think she humbugs herself; she loves to hear the sound
of her own voice. Count D'Orsay was the only amusing
person. He made a violent speech on the political
questions of the day, without head or tail, beginning or
end; I rather loved him for it. After all the guests had
retired I was off to a bed masquS at the opera — had lots
of adventures, made at least a dozen rendezvous, and
by now have forgotten both places and names. TeUe est
la vis.

FEBRUARY 8

A great sensation has been produced by the appearance
of a pamphlet printed in London and called ''The
Manuscript of St. Helena." It is supposed to have been
written by the Emperor himself. It is read in all the
great salons^ and many say they recognize the style of
the Emperor. Monsieur Naville (father's cousin) brought
it to him yesterday from the author, who is Monsieur
Lidlin de Chateauvieux, also a cousin and a Genevan.
We are all sworn to secrecy. This makes it most amusing
for me, as I hear of nothing else in all the salons I frequent
and often have a good laugh to myself. A most extraor-

121

1818] DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN

dinary person who I must here give a place to is the
Queen of Sweden, wife of Bernadotte. She was a Mile
Eugenie D6sir£e Clary.* Her sister Julie married Joseph
Bonaparte. They were the daughters of a tallow-chandler
in Marseilles. She has left Sweden as she says the climate
did not agree with her. Her position here is a curious
one. A private note was sent to all the ambassadors
and ministers of foreign Powers not to receive her as
Queen of Sweden but simply as Madame Bernadotte.
She is not received officially at Court, but still the King
receives her as Madame Bernadotte in private. I have
met her in several different salons — a most common-
looking person, with a loud voice and coarse manners,
and dressed in clothes you expect to see a cook wear.
She has a strong Marseilles accent. When I was pre-
sented to her she said in horrible French: "Comment,
V0118 ites Americain el vous n^itea pas noir. Ma scmr
Jviie a 6U en AmiriqueJ* She would be better if she
were black — she has some sort of eruption on her face
which is not nice to look at. Another extraordinary
female is the Duchesse de Duras; she is quite as ugly
as Madame Bernadotte. Since the death of Madame
de Stael she seems to think the latter's mantle has
fallen on her shoulders. She apes her as much as she
dare do. Instead of a small laurel-branch which Madame
de Stael always carried in her hand and gesticulated with
(I have mentioned this before), she has long bits of paper
which she twirls about and tears to pieces; it's most
amusing to watch her. Her daughter, the Princesse
de Talmont, a widow, has lately married a Monsieur
de Rochejacquelin, much against her mother's wishes.
I fear I am drifting into a serious love affair. At several
houses I have met a handsome Spanish woman, wife of

* Eug4nie-D4sir6e Clary, wife of Jean Bernadotte, who was elected
Prince Royal of Sweden in 1810, succeeded the King Charles XII in
1818; reigned as Charles XIV. He was never recognized by the Emg
of Fnmoe.

DIARY OP JAMES GALLATIN [1818

a Secretary of Embassy; she is several years older than
I am and does not live happily with her husband. She
has asked me to meet her at out-of-the-way places; I
have been weak enough to do so, but I must break it o£P.
It woidd be a serious matter for me and for father's
position if there were any scandal^ particidarly in the
diplomatic circle.

Serious talk of the resignation of Monsieur de Richelieu;
father seems worried. Monsieur Decazes is spoken of.
The King has shown him great favour lately. This
means that father will have to begin all over again.
Nothing definite has been settled with Monsieur de
Richelieu. Our Government is pressing and seems to
think it is father's fault.

We are in a very unsettled state on account of the
approaching change in the Government. So many
different rumours. General DessoUes spoken of as the
new leader. Father hardly thinks this possible, but
believes Monsieur Decazes will certainly (if not actually
in name) be the leader. Prince Talleyrand is now in
Paris; he is such an intriguer, so absolutely false, that
nobody trusts him. I heard a good story about him
yesterday and his astuteness. When he was in power
a gentleman, accompanied by a small suite, presented
himself at his house as the Margrave of C, a German
princeling. His credentials were all in order, but Talley-
rand suspected there was something wrong from the
man's demeanour. Nevertheless, he invited him to
dinner — putting him, as his rank demanded, on his right
hand at table. When dinner was at an end and olives
were passed with the wine, the Margrave took a fork
to eat his with. At once Talleyrand clapped his hands,
a prearranged signal, saying in a loud voice, '' Arrest
this impostor. No gentleman eats olives with a fork."
Several officers disguised as footmen rushed forward and
seized him. His suite immediately rose and tried to
escape from the room, but they were also arrested.

12S

1818] DIARY OP JAMES GALLATIN

Talleyrand was quite right; he afterwards learned that
the Margrave of C. had been waylaid on his way to
Paris, stripped of his clothes, baggage and papers, and
left with his suite penniless. The fine gentleman and
his band took the Margrave's coach and made use of the
relays, so arriving in Paris. The poor Margrave wandered
about for some time, as nobody would believe his story
and thought he was an impostor.- Another story is not
out of place here. One day Talleyrand, who is very mal-
formed, pointing to a particularly tall and handsome
footman, said to the lady next to him, "That is the way
we make them, and this is the way they make us."
Mamma is in despair, as father hates entertaining.
He only cares to see his old friends — Lafayette, La Place,
the Humboldts, Pozzo di Borgo, &c. They continually
dine and sup with us. I have my own amusements, so
it does not a£Fect me. I am beginning to find out that
all the Court and official functions are a great bore; they
are all the same thing over and over again. The excep-
tions are the entertainments at the Elys6e and the Palais
Royale. The Due and Duchesse de Berri are so gay and
cheerful that they instil life into all. At the Palais
Royale it is so informal; although very fine entertain-
ments, one is not hedged in by that eternal etiquette as
at the Tuileries. The Duke and Duchess d'Angoulfime
are so formal and sad — Monsieur so repellent in his cold,
sti£F way, though they say he can be charming if he
chooses. The poor old King is far more gracious; he
really seems to enjoy father's society, and certainly
shows him great favour. He laughingly said to him the
other day, ''I wish you would give us French lessons
and we will give you English ones." Poor father's
French accent is so strong in English. I sincerely believe
it is one of the reasons he is so disliked in America, and
it is a great drawback in political life. He is certainly
in his right place here, but I think he longs for a more
active life.

124

DIARY OP JAMES GALLATIN [1818

JULY

He has accepted a special mission to England; it is a
very important one. The terms settled at the Treaty
of Ghent expire in 1819, so all has to be reconsidered
and settled afresh. He is the only person capable of
carrying through these negotiations on account of his
intimate knowledge of all details. Mr. Rush is our
Minister in England. Father discovered him and had
him put in his present position. He has most kindly
extended his hospitality to us. Father has availed
himself of his kind offer to stop at his house when in
London. We expect to leave here in July. I fear
London will be very dull after Paris, but I will have
plenty of work to do. Father insists upon having a copy
of every document and prefers me to make them. Albert
dislikes Paris so much he is to go back to America this
summer. He only cares about birds, animals, and so
forth, and likes a wild solitary life. Frances promises
to be pretty, and I hope she will grow up so and make
a good marriage either here or in England. Her religion
will be a great obstacle to her here, and if she changed it
mamma would promptly give up the ghost. I am quite
certain she will never be content to live in America, and
I am sure I won't.

JULY S4

To-day we received the faire-^art of the Due de Guiche,
the eldest son of the Due de Gramont, with Mile D*Orsay,
the daughter of the Count and Countess D'Orsay. Made-
moiselle is quite lovely and de Guiche is very handsome;
they will make a brave couple. I have seen a great deal
of de Guiche but not dans le grand monde. 1 suppose
now he will settle down and we will see him no more.
The contract of the marriage was on the 10th. Very
beautifully done. Masses of flowers everywhere — ^from
the chandelier great wreaths of roses; the wall lights
were connected by huge garlands of pink roses. Count

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D'Orsay is famous for his taste. The wedding was in the
Sainte-Chapelle by special permission of the King. The
Due and Duchesse de Bern were present and signed the
register. The corbeUle de manage was superb; there
were over five hundred presents. I think there is what
may be called hot blood in the de Gramont family.
There was a Comte de Guiche in the seventeenth century
who was a lover of Queen Henrietta Maria, wife of
Charles I. He was exiled, and on his return compro-
mised himself with Mile de la Valli^re, the King's mistress;
was exiled a second time. Not bad. The sister of the
present Due de Grammont married Lord Tankerville. She
was quite lovely.

AUGUST: LONDON

After all, we did not leave Paris until August 10 and
arrived in London on the 16th. Mr. Rush is most kind;
he has placed the whole second floor of his house at our
disposal. Of course London is quite empty and dull.
I have plenty of work to do. Father has had several
interviews with Lord Castlereagh, who is most concilia-
tory, but Mr. Frederic Robinson (now President of the
Board of Trade) and Mr. Goulburn are the principal
Commissioners. The former, as always, is delightful,
and father likes dealing with him. The questions to be
settled are the Fisheries, the Boundary Question, the
West India Trade, and the Captured Slaves. Mr. Robin-
son begs father to put in writing exactly what his demands
are and his reasons for making them; he thinks this will
expedite matters. There are daily conferences, and
from what I can understand an agreement satisfactory
to all parties will soon be come to. Lord Castlereagh
is very advanced in his ideas and has no insular prejudices.
Mr. Robinson the same. Mr. Goulburn is not quite
as enlightened as they are, but all is very amicable and
iJleasant.

126

DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN [1818

SEPTEMBER 10

I had found it so dull, and not feeling very well, father
insisted upon sending me to Brighton for two weeks.
I arrived yesterday, and at once went to the Pavilion
and paid my respects to the Prince Regent. These
were father's orders. He is here with some of his dandies
and his last reigning favourite. I am very comfortably
lodged not far from the sea, in James Street. The Pavilion
is a most extraordinary place — Moorish, I think, in
architecture; all sorts of domes and minarets. There
is a huge riding-school where the Regent takes exercise
in bad weather. They say the cost of the building was
something enormous. I only went into the first hall
and wrote my name. The decorations are Oriental and
dazzling, but, although I am informed to the contrary,
I should not think the remainder of the decorations are
in good taste.

SEPTEMBER U

Such perfect weather, I feel much better already; the
heat in London was very great. I had so much writing
to do that now I want simply to rest. I was out all the
morning lying on the shingle basking in the sun. Returned
at 2 o'clock to my dinner. The air here gives me a
fine appetite, otherwise I should not be able to eat the
food they give me; it's like all English food, heavy and
greasy. When will they learn what cooking is? In
any small inn in France they give you an appetizing meal,
well seasoned and well served. For instance, for dinner
to-day I had salt boiled beef with carrots and dumplings;
the beef was hard, the carrots were harder, and the
dumplings I could have thrown against the door without
breaking them; but still I was hungry and managed to
make a good dinner. This afternoon, when I went for
a walk I met the Prince Regent driving in a most
gorgeous chariot; it seemed to me every colour of the
rainbow. He was accompanied by a lady, but I do not

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1818] DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN

know who she was — in fact, I don't know anybody in
England. Several gentlemen accompanied him on horse-
back. The Prince looked very red as if he had been
drinking; they were all very noisy. Mr. Brummell was
a great friend of the Prince's; he was called the "mirror
of fashion/' and although of very humble birth, he
managed to work his way to the higher society, and all
through his wit and his manner of dressing. He was for
a long time the arbiter of fashion. They tell me he
often used to destroy a dozen white neckcloths before he
tied them to suit him. The Regent used to imitate him
though he was most insolent; he was known as "Beau
Brummell."

SEPTEMBER 15

Poor Lucien has afforded me great amusement ever
since he left Paris. I asked him if he was a good sailor,
"if aw oui, Excellence.'* Now he had never even seen
the sea, but I said nothing and awaited events. Full of
pluck, he marched on board the packet at Boulogne. We
were barely under way when I lost sight of him. On
arrival at Dover no Lucien could be found. At last,
after a search in the forecastle in one of the sailor's bunks,
there was a helpless and limp mass. He was carried on
deck, and after having brandy poured down his throat
began to revive. His first words were: "EsUqtie je
suis mort t " But with the wonderful elasticity of the
French nature, before we got to Sevenoaks he was cheer-
fully chatting with father's man in the rumble. London
astonished him; he could not understand the dirty
streets or the grimy houses. He Was comically miserable
— so homesick that at one time father contemplated
sending him home, but he would not consent to this,
saying, "What would monsieur do without him?" He
certainly is devoted to me. Here at Brighton he is much
happier. He is a very good-looking lad. Yesterday I
actually saw him walking arm-in-arm with a very pretty

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DIARY OP JAMES GALLATIN [1818

girl. As he cannot speak two words of English, I cannot
understand how he managed it. Oh, but the language
of love is not difficult, and I fear he has taken a leaf out
of his master's book.

SEPTEMBER 17

I had a little adventure yesterday which I hope will turn
out well. Nobody knows me here, so I really don't
care what I do. I noticed the day after I arrived a very
pretty woman. There is a certain look that one gives to a
pretty woman and which I have always found a woman
understands. The second time I found her walking
alone she dropped her eyelids, but not till after she had
had a good look at me. After passing her I turned and
followed her, dropping my pocket-handkerchief (I always
carry a lady's handkerchief with me as I have found it
such a help in making acquaintances). I ran after her
saying, ''Madame, I think this must be yours?" She
looked at it and said, '' Oh, how stupid of me," and with a
pretty curtsy she quietly put it in her reticule; then she
said, " I see you are a stranger here." Of course I poured
out all my woes, telling her I did not know a soul in the
place. She took compassion on me and has promised
to meet me to take a little walk to-morrow evening.

SEPTEMBER 19

My inamorata is charming, she is married to an old man
who is in the city in business — she is down here with a
younger sister, to recoup the latter's health. She has
promised to meet me to-morrow and to take me home to
supper — ^her sister goes to bed at 7 o'clock.

SEPTEMBER 20

The worst possible luck — this morning I received a com-
mand from the Prince Regent to attend a concert at the.
Pavilion to-night — what am I to do? I do not know
my fair lady's name or where she is lodged. She will never

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1818] DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN

forgive me — I cannot tell her the real reason of my not
being able to keep the rendezvous. She thinks I am
simply a young American travelling for my health.

SEPTEMBER 21

A most gorgeous entertainment at the Pavilion; as I
entered rows of lacqueys in Royal liveries and floured
heads lined the hall. A most magnificent and impor-
tant person asked my name with a profound bow —
he motioned to two lacqueys who threw open the doors and
I was ushered into a gorgeous saloon. A gentleman ad-
vanced and said his Royal Highness would receive
me in a few minutes, which he did. I was escorted to a
smaller saloon, at the far end of which the Prince was
half reclining on a divan. He was most gracious and
inquired kindly about father — he also asked me
some questions about the Royal Family in Paris, par-
ticularly about the Due de Berri. While he was talking
to me the doors were thrown open and several ladies
and gentlemen came in; the Regent rose and with the aid
of two sticks and followed by the Court, in which I joined,
proceeded to the Concert Saloon. He was seated in the
centre in a large gilt arm-chair with a lady either side of
him — I was in the second row. I do not know who the
two gentlemen were who were on either side of me,
but one knew my name and both of them seeing I was
young and feeling a little bashful and a little embarrassed
made themselves most agreeable to me and soon put me
at my ease. What astonished me very much was when
any one of the performers, either male or female, did not
please the Prince he expressed bis displeasure in a loud
voice, much to their mortification — and he is called "The
First Gentleman in Europe." When the concert was
over, bowing to us all he retired, with several ladies and
gentlemen. We were then conducted to the dining-hall,
which is very fine. A very lavish buffet supper was
served, a fine display of gold plate — some of the gentle-
ISO

DIARY OP JAMES GALLATIN [1818

men were half drunk while they were at the concert
and when I left after midnight several of them were
helplessly so, a disgusting sight and one that is never seen
in France, even in Bohemian society. Some of the
decorations of the Pavilion are very fine; the chandeliers
are huge dragons painted in colours and gilded. What
I liked the best were some beautiful wall-hangings of
Chinese paper — I have never seen any before like them —
but the whole effect of the furniture is vulgar, at least to
my eyes, which are so accustomed to the refined taste
of the French. Oddly enough I did not see a picture
of any kind or description.

SEPTEMBER 22

I have been walking about all day and cannot find a
trace of my belie dame. I sincerely regret it as I am
leaving now in a few days and fear I will never see her
again. I went to write my name at the Pavilion. Just as I
was leaving the Prince's curricle drove up; of course I had
to wait at the door for him to pass — he passed me without
a sign of recognition — he was very red in the face, and,
may I only breathe it — I fear he was drunk. They told
me he had just come from a cock-fight.

SEPTEMBER 23

Not a sign of my fair lady — I so deeply regret it, and of
course as I cannot find her, I want to see her all the more.
I am leaving the day after to-morrow. Lucien did not
come home last night, so my landlady informed me; I
must talk to him.

SEPTEMBER 24

Still no sign. It is odd as Brighton is not a large place — it
does seem odd. I fancied I knew the direction she lived
in and have been haunting that quarter all the morning.
We are off to-morrow, in one of the fast coaches — I will
enjoy the drive. I am certainly feeling much better.

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SEPTEMBER 26: LONDON

We had a splendid journey up, racing another coach the
whole way. I am glad to say we arrived first, the other
coach had an accident. It's wonderful the rapidity with
which they change the horses. We came by Cuckfield,
a lovely English village and the Weald of Sussex — ^lovely
views. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Lucien followed with
my baggage — these fast coaches do not take any. I
found father as usual^ calm and unruffled — he was very
pleased to see me looking so well. Mr. Rush had a dinner-
party, but excused me from appearing as I was fatigued.

SEPTEMBER 28

To-day I was taken to White's Club and Brook's — ^I
had never been into a dub before; they say very high
gambling takes place at night — as I have never touched
a card in my life it does not interest me. Father has a
horror of gambling and gamblers. I have been putting
some papers in order this evening. London is abso-
lutely empty. Everybody is in the country shooting.

SEPTEMBER 29

I went to-day to Chelsea Marshes with Mr. Compton;
we both took guns but there was nothing to shoot — he
told me there was very good snipe-shooting later on.
To-morrow I am going to the Tower of London. We will
be going back to Paris very shortly — another dinner
to-night — ^all men much older than myself. When the
wine was put on the table I begged to be excused and
went to bed.

OCTOBER 1

Queen Charlotte it is rumoured is very ill — she is suffering
from dropsy; it seems she has a violent temper and when
she has an outburst it brings on spasms which they fear
may cause her death at any moment. The Duchess of
Cambridge is devoted to her and hardly ever leaves her.

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DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN [1818

It is very sad with her poor mad husband. She goes to see
him every day but he never recognizes her — ^he always
thinks he is holding a Court and talks incessantly to
imaginary people whom he thinks surround him; what
a living death I One of the first signs of his coming
madness was one day a large pasty of blackbirds was
on the Royal table, covered with a thick crust. When
it was cut he remarked: "How very extraordinary;
how on earth did those blackbirds get in that dish?"
He would not allow it to be served and had some clever
philosopher sent for to go into the matter.

OCTOBER 2

We dined with Lord Castlereagh last night, only men
again; everything fine — we were over three hours at
table, the conversation was far above me, although I take
a great interest in politics. Father thinks this all does
me good and no doubt he is right. We leave on the 10th.
I frankly don't like England or English customs and
manners.

After many meetings and it seems to me endless dis-
cussion the result is as follows: — ^The articles on impress-
ment and maritime rights are thrown out, a ten years'
agreement to cover the Fisheries question, the boundary
between the Lake and the Rocky Mountains, also the
joint use of the Columbia River; indemnity for the slave
owners and the renewal of the commercial treaty of 1815.
England has been most generous in every way and
father has done his best to conciliate all — Lord Castle-
reagh has worked in perfect accord with him. The
navigation of the Mississippi is settled for ever. With
regard to the West India trade, Mr. Robinson made
concessions and father met him half-way. On the minor
questions in dispute little was settled — Lord Castlereagh
wisely said, "Time will do much more than we can";
in this father absolutely agrees. Since the Treaty of Ghent
he thinks the American people are a little swelled with

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1818] DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN

pride, which he thinks in time will wear away. We return
to Paris very shortly. I shall not be sorry, as it has been
desperately dull and very hard work.

OCTOBER 10: DOVER

We left London, I without regret, this morning; we
hope to cross to-morrow but it is blowing great guns and
the packet did not leave to-day; the French one did as
there is a good harbour here. At Boulogne it is some-
times impossible to land. I feel sorry for poor Lucien,
he is pea-green in anticipation — I cannot boast much
myself, but I am getting used to it.

OCTOBER 11

Still here on account of stress of weather. It does not
a£Fect us as we are not in a hurry, as there is nothing for
us to do in Paris at present. I visited the Dover Castle —
it is on a very high down above the town. It was very
interesting — I could hardly keep my feet the wind was
so violent.

OCTOBER 1«

We embarked this morning, the wind has moderated
considerably and the Channel looks quite calm, the sun
is shining and we can see Cape Gris Nez distinctly —
Lucien is quite cheerful.

OCTOBER 14

We sleep at Amiens to-night.

OCTOBER 18, 1818: PARIS

We returned here on the 16th. Mother is still in the

country but returns shortly.

OCTOBER 19

Mamma and Frances returned to-day both looking so
well. I have for the last few days been visiting all my

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DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN [1818

old haunts to see if they were still there. We will soon
have to return to fashionable life. The Court has
returned, and Paris looks very gay,

OCTOBER 22

I even love the smell of Paris. I love the smell of the
fruit and vegetables which the market-women hawk about
the streets in their push-carts. I love the cry "Oh, les
heUes f raises. Oh I les raisins, dix soils la limre,*' and
later, "Oh I la valence, la beUe valence.*' Dear Albertine
de Broglie came to see mamma to-day; they have
bought a beautiful hotel, quite close to us. They have
a fine boy; she wants us to dine quite en famiUe on
Sunday — ^that is mamma, father, Frances and myself.
Mamma could not refuse her, but it is the first time she
has dined out on Sunday since we came to Paris.

OCTOBER 25

We had such a pleasant dinner at the de Broglie's. Their
hotel is really beautiful. He had superb pictures and
furniture, silver, &c.; her mother left her all she possibly
could, so it all makes a fine show. The precious baby
was brought down before dinner. Of course mamma
and Frances made a great fuss over it. I am not an
expert in babies, they always look so crumpled and red
to me and I never know how to pick them up. We saw a
fine portrait of de Broglie's father who was guillotined
in the Revolution. She showed it to us. It is covered
with a black curtain which she drew aside when he was
out of the room, as he cannot bear to look at it. This is
the reason I suppose he is so serious.

OCTOBER 29

I am really beginning to vegetate. I will get prematurely
old, if I go on at this rate. I am going to-night with
Puysfegur to a ball given by a lady of the "other world.'*
The Due de Berri protects her and will be there. I have

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1818] DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN

just come in from a turn in the Bois de Boulogne where
I met many friends whom I had not seen since I had re-
turned from England. The men all wanted to know
about the English fashions as everything is h VAnglaiae
now in France. Certainly Englishmen are better dressed
than Frenchmen. I met Count D'Orsay; he is certainly a
fine figure of a man and carries himself so well. His hand-
some face is rather spoilt by his teeth^ which although
very white are very much separated, which gives his
mouth an animal look when he smiles.

NOVEMBER

Very cold and in the mornings we have a thick white fog.
I am fully lanct dans le monde again, dancing every
night. The ball at the Due de Berri's friend was very
enjoyable, but oddly enough up to a certain point the
behaviour was even more dignified than dans le vrai
monde. It was not until after supper and the Due
had retired that things became rather mixed. I know
ab6ut 3 A.M. I was sitting on the lap of a lady, who dis-
played ample charms, and she was calling me her " B&>if
petU chou" &c. I did not stop there long — I prefer
lamb to mutton.

NOVEMBER 1818

Christmas will soon be here. For the first time we are

to dine out at the de Broglie's. She made such a

point of it. We are going to have a New Year's Eve

party.

Of course, I am in another scrape — ^the same old story.
At Madame R6camier's. She is short, has the most
beautiful auburn hair, is an Austrian by birth, married
to a Frenchman. She swears eternal devotion — ^I do the
same but do not mean it in the least. It is, I hope, only
a passing fancy. Her husband neglects her, so she says

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DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN [1819

— but will meet him to-morrow as she has bidden me to
a large dinner-party. We went last night to the opera.
Mamma took Frances for the first time. She was
delighted^ it was a pleasure to see her so happy.

NOVEMBER 16

Some most important dispatches have arrived from
America which will keep me busy for a long time. Father
frets a little that he has not more important work to do.
He is writing on finance, which keeps him very busy.
We have a dinner to-night, all Americans. Mamma
is so pleased as she then can join in the general conversa-
tion. It must be very hard for her when only French is
spoken.

DECEMBER 1818

There is no doubt that the Due de Richelieu will resign.

He has been attacked in the most unseemly manner by

the party headed by Monsieur Decazes. The New Cabinet

has been formed led by Decazes.

Mamma came back for Christmas from Fontainebleau;

we were very quiet as one of her sisters has died in America

— which had placed us in mourning.

I am sorry to say I cannot get rid of Madame S. She

will not leave me alone. Something must be done to

bring about a rupture. The New Year may bring me

some luck.

JANUARY 8, 1819

As everybody does, I have made all sorts of good
resolutions for 1819. I do not suppose I'll keep one of
them. The new Government seems very obstinate, re the
Indemnity claims — always some excuses, something crop-
ping up to delay the settlement. Poor Monsieur de Riche-
lieu, the most simple of men, has inspired Madame Berna-
dotte (the Queen of Sweden) with a violent passion; she
follows him like a dog, her carriage waits outside his door
for hours; and the moment he appears from the porte-'

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1819] DIARY OP JAMES GALLATIN

cochire, her coachman whips up his horses and follows.
Madame de Duras also causes much amusement^ she
cannot conceal her jealousy of Madame R^camier, who
has stolen M. de Chateaubriand from her. Really these
old ladies and their love affairs are too funny I

JANUARY 10

There is much scandal about the treatment the Duke of
Wellington has received at the hands of the Royal Family.
I wonder he has stood it so long. Monsieur has at times
been most insolent. Father has decided to go to Geneva
for three months. He has taken a house called '' Bo-
cage," at Pregny. There is really nothing to keep us in
Paris. Mr. Sheldon and the staff are quite sufficient.
We leave on June 1 — Madame S. threatens to follow
me there; if so, I will drown myself in the lake. Madame
Bonaparte is in Geneva. I think I will ask her advice
how I am to get rid of this woman — I must do something.
The Chamber voted yesterday the grant of an income
of 50,000 francs a year to the Due de Richelieu — this has
given great satisfaction in all quarters; he is not a rich
man and has proved his devotion to his country. Father
went to congratulate him, I accompanied him. He was
much pleased, kissing father on both cheeks. They are
in great sympathy, as both are men of the same calibre:
simple, honest, without fear of expressing their opinion
and holding it, if they think they are right. Since I
have been so continually with father, seeing how he
attracts people to him — ^those whose friendship is worth
having — I believe in magnetic influence, which he strongly
has. When he shakes your hand you feel a thrill go through
you. When he looks into your eyes, he seems to absorb
your soul. The Duke lives in such a simple manner,
only two footmen in the ante-chamber. The Cabinet
de Travail he received us in was without a carpet, the
plainest of chairs and a very long table covered with black
doth. A carafe and a carafon of eau de fleurs d'oranger.

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DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN [1819

He never touches wine of any description. He engaged
father to dine with him sans ja^on on February 3,
to meet some of his (the Duke's) enemies. He said they
were quite tame.

FEBRUARY 4

We dined yesterday with the Due de Richelieu — ^that is
father and myself. It was a curious company composed
of most of his political opponents; as he had said they
certainly were tame, much too tame for me — I was bored
and glad to escape. First for a short time to the opera,
nothing interesting there. I remembered it was Madame
R^camier's reception evening, so hied myself there. Her
sdUm is very beautiful, very classic, but not quite the
place for me. If I were twenty years older I might take
a mild dose of that sort of entertainment. I flew when I
saw the majestic form of Madame de Boigne approaching —
hid behind a portiere to escape Madame de Duras and fell
into the arms of Madame S. Of course then I knew
what was in store for me. Bitter reproaches, why had
I neglected her who had given her soul for me: I didn't
want her soul. Well, it ended as it always does; she
arranged her coach to stop at the corner of the Rue
Bonaparte, which it did, I got in and accompanied her
home. Bonsoir.

FEBRUARY 6

Father had a fainting seizure this morning which alarmed
us all very much, as that sort of thing is so unusual with
him — he enjoys such wonderful health. Mamma would
burn feathers; Berthal wanted to drop a key down his
back; this last proposition cured him I think, anyhow
he sent everybody out of the room except mamma. I
went for the leech and he was bled.

FEBRUARY 8

I am glad to say that father has entirely recovered from
his indisposition. He thinks it was caused by a very strong

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1819] DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN

brand of segars he has smoked lately; he is going to change
them. He was in one of his happiest moods at dSjeuner
to-day. He said that if anything was calculated to
bring a person round who had fainted it was Madame
Berthal. Poor woman, she is not beautiful; she is very
tall and angular, has a distinct moustache, a very long and
inquisitive nose, a huge mole on her chin which is full of
hair — which I am certain she puts in curl-papers at night
— but a wisp of hair on either side of her head; this is sur-
mounted by a monumental cap; having nothing to fasten
it to she balances it as a mountebank does a ball on his
head at a fair. I always have my hands ready to catch
it. Still I do not think we could dispense with her services
— she is invaluable. Lucien told me in confidence that she
cast her eagle eye on him, but as he did not reciprocate
she transferred her affection tQ Albert's black Peter.
I think this must be true as I certainly did hear a flutter
and a squeak in the corridor one day. Berthal disappeared
down one staircase and Peter down the other. Mamma
thinks her a citadel of virtue, so I have not undeceived
her. How fortunate we all can find some one to love or
to love us. What would life be without it?

FEBRUARY 10

There is a great scandal about the Orleans family and
their relationship with the Court. The King snubs the
Duke publicly on every occasion possible. At some Court
functions lately he has really refused him his proper
rights as a Bourbon prince. The Duchesse de Berri was
enceinte but it came to nothing. After the Due de
Berri, Orleans is the heir. I can quite understand the
Duchesse d'Angoul^me's dislike for the son of a man who
voted for her parents' death. Twice lately the Due de
Berri has invited me to supper. Not at the Elys^s —
ces dames and most cheery they have been. The truth
is the Court is as dull as can be. Since the death of

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DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN [1819

his father, the Prince de Cond6, the Due de Bourbon*
has come to live in Paris. He retains his old name as he
says he cannot live up to that of Cond6. His whole life
is a scandal, worse here than in London.

FEBRUARY 12

I have neglected to write for two days. It is really so
difficult to find time. I make up my mind to write every
night before going to bed, but as lately I have not been
home until 3 or 4 a.m., it is the next day. This is a
problem that my brain is too addled to probe. There was
a grand difiU at Court on Sunday; always the same
thing — very magnificent no doubt to anybody who has
never seen it, but as we have to stand for such a long time
it is most fatiguing. I don't see how father bears it.
Mamma escapes it as she has been excused from attending
any Court function on account of her religious principles.
Monday the Carnival commenced; a lot of us made
egregious apes of ourselves, but it amused us. We had
pierrot costumes and each one a musical instrument.
We supped with some of our operatic friends at the Mai-
son Dorie; we did everything that was foolish. Puys6gur
had much too much to drink and would pour all the coffee
into the piano. We heated francs and sous in the fire
and threw them out of the window and watched the poor
devils scramble for them, only to bum their fingers.
It may have been funny for us, but it was not for them —
on calm reflection I think it was very cruel. Tuesday
a small ball at the Palais Royal, which was very amusing.
A great many English were present, one very handsome
woman. Lady Westmoreland.! Her husband is in the
Diplomatic Service. She is a very great friend of the
Duke of Wellington's, also of Pozzo di Borgo. As there

* Louis Jean Joseph de Bourbon-Cond6, son of the Prince de Cond6.

t Priscilla Ann Willesley Pole, bom 1793, Countess of Westmoreland,
an intimate friend of the Duke of Wellington and Pozso di Borgo, the
Russian Ambassador.

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18191 DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN

are young people at the Elys6e, Frances was allowed to go.
She enjoyed it immensely. She is so fresh and pretty,
has a lovely neck and shoulders. I was very proud of
her. Mamma has great taste and dresses her to perfec-
tion, but with great simplicity. My diary is really very
frivolous. I must try to record more interesting matter.

FEBRUARY 14

We are now having difficulties with the Spanish-American
Colonies which are in revolt. Father thinks it of the
greatest importance that no European Power should
interfere in the quarrel. He feels he must be continually
on the alert and keep himself informed on all matters
concerning the subject. He also feels it of great im-
portance that the United States should recognize the
South American Republics. On this subject he has
sent a private note to all the European Powers to prepare
them for the action to be taken by his Government so
that it will not come as a surprise to them. The Congress
of Aix la Chapelle is now sitting. Its policy with regard
to the United States is very favourable. Spain finds
herself isolated by the Powers and is treating with father,
or at least through him for the sale of Florida. I have
to give up all gaieties at present as it is a serious matter,
and all private notes are drafted by me before being
dispatched to the Secretary of State. Spain has refused
to ratify the treaty.

FEBRUARY 15

There has been a new revolution in Spain and a complete
change in the Government. They have ratified the
treaty, much to father's satisfaction. He said to me
to-day that he felt more contented in doing something
really of importance, as for some titne he had been idling
his time. Complications have also arisen with regard
to the Treaty of Commerce with France which has lain
dormant for some time. Father has now taken up the

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DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN [1819

matter with great vigour. M. Hyde de Neuville is
the French Minister in Washington and father is in
close correspondence with him.

FEBRUARY 16

As I am now pretty free from work, I have again started
my vie de polichineUe, as mamma insists on calling
it. Father always smiles when she says this as her
pronunciation of the words is so funny.

FEBRUARY 17

The last days of the Carnival — a bal-nuisqttf at the

opera to-night.

FEBRUARY 19

I have really been too tired even to open my diary.
I make such good resolutions, but once I get in the swim
with my friends, of! I go, like a champagne cork. I
love amusing myself. I know very shortly I will have
to settle down to some steady work. To-night we have ar-
ranged a very original car for the Carnival. We, the men
of course, are carefully disguised, for it would never do
for us to be recognized, particularly in the company
we so much prefer. I am to be an apple, P. a pear,
R. a peach, D. a carrot, 6. a bunch of grapes, L. a fig.
The ladies are each a different flower and the car is in the
shape of a large gilt basket with a high handle hung
with paper lanterns all in the shapes of fruits and flowers.
We hope it will be a success.

FEBRUARY 21

Indeed we did have a success; we were cheered the whole
length of the boulevards, but one unfortunate incident.
C^lestine of the honourable corps de bcUlet in her eager-
ness fell out of the basket; fortunately she fell on a fat
woman or she might have been seriously injured. But
I hold my breath when I recall the scene: she was dressed

14S

1819] DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN

as a poppy, but I suppose by sheer f orgetf ulness she bad
forgotten to put on anything but the dress; or she may
have wished it to be very realistic, and as poppies do not
wear underclothes, she did not. The fat woman was so
incensed that seizing her opportunity as Cllestine was
completely turned up, began to belabour her with her
reticule on that portion of the body on which generally
we receive punishment in our early childhood. We
dragged poor C. more dead than alive back into the car.
The reticule was of sharp steel beads. C£lestine stood
up for the remainder of the evening. The usual supper,
&c. &c.

FEBRUARY 2S

Ball at the Elys^ last night — very brilliant as usual.
The beautiful Lady Westmoreland came escorted by
Pozzo di Borgo; she was much admired. The Duchesse
de Berri was full of animation; she has an unfortunate
way of moving, which is totally devoid of elegance or
grace. She is more like a child. She will suddenly run
up to the Duke and hang on his arm, no matter whom he
may be in conversation with. The Orleans family is
in full force, but oddly enough no other members of the
Royal Family. I think it really made it more informal
and far more enjoyable. I begged hard for mamma to
allow Frances to go. I even enlisted father, but he said
he left such matters to mamma, that they were far too
grave for him to decide. I know all the same he would have
wished Frances to enjoy herself. She is really too young.

MARCH

Now that Lent is here there will be more rest for me and
I intend doing some serious reading. I have asked father
to make a list of books that he thinks will be of benefit
to me. He had a long letter from Madame Patterson
Bonaparte to-day. She is in Rome, is evidently very well

144

MADAME PATTERSON BONAPARTE (THREE MEWS)

By CiIlbert Stuart
Bji kind permission of the Countess Moltke-HuUfeldt, nie Bonaparte

DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN [1819

received, particularly by all the members of the Bona-
parte family. In most of her letters is asking his advice
about investments for her savings. Her one god seems
to be money. Father has the highest opinion of her
intelligence — particularly on financial matters — she is so
shrewd. He often has said had she met the Emperor
Napoleon, and had joined forces with him*, the fate of
Europe might be quite different from what it is to-day.
Mamma does not like her, but like the sensible woman
she is, never commits herself; in fact she always refrains
from expressing any opinion that may annoy father.
They really are a model husband and wife. I do not
see such another happy and contented couple anywhere.
Among our relatives in Geneva I find them, but their lives
are so simple, they are so unworldly, living only for
their families. I suppose it is rather a selfish one, but
still it has always struck me that it is the right life to
lead. Moralizing now. Well it is Lent. What could I
do better?

MARCH 1819

So little of interest to record. I have been trying to do
my duty, and have been taking Frances to see all the
fine churches, to the Luxembourg and various places
of interest. I think it as well she should have something
to talk about when she comes out in the world next
year. Mamma has no idea of keeping her always at her
side and not allowing her to talk to young men. It is
really quite absurd the way French girls are brought up.
How can they learn anything about the man they are
to marry if they are never allowed even to see them
without a duenna is present. Madame de Stael was so
sensible on this matter. She allowed Albertine at Coppet
to go for long walks with de Broglie, so that they would
know each other before marriage. It certainly in this case
is a success as I have never seen a happier couple in my
life; they are a model to all young married people.

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18191 DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN

APRIL

Such lovely weather. The trees are all breaking into
leaf, all is so fresh. Really I think the spring is the best
season. It has the same bloom of freshness like a young
child. I must really marry. I am sick of the thraldom
of Madame S. I have begun to dislike her. Of course, I
blame myself, but still she was older than me. I am
quite sick of this liaison. I have tried to break it on
several occasions but she makes such scenes, and as I
am rather weak where women are concerned I always
give in.

APRILS

There is much entertaining at present, but I am keeping
very quiet. I really have not felt at all well for some
time. My teeth have been giving me a great deal of
trouble. The dentist says it is from the fever I had in
Russia and the intense cold there. I will be glad when
we get to the quiet of Geneva; I love going on the lake.
Father has a horror of my sailing. Two of his cousins
on the twenty-first birthday of the eldest went for a sail in
a new boat that had been given to the latter for his birth-
day. Their house is actually on the lake on the way by the
lowe^ road to Pregny . The wind is very treacherous on the
lake on account of the surrounding mountains. The boat
capsized in full view of both their father and mother and
both of the lads were drowned before help could be
obtained to rescue them. By their death, father was
left the last male of the Gallatin family.

APRIL 20

I was told such an interesting story to-day about Robert
Fulton.* It seems during the Terror he was in Paris;
wishing to go to England on business he obtained a permit

* Robert Fulton (inventor), first steamboat on the Seine, Paris, Au*
gust 9, 1803. At New York, 1807, started a steamboat, the Clermcnt^
on the Hudson River.

146

DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN [1819

and passport. By accident it was made out for Mr. and
Mrs. Fulton. Arriving at Calais he was detained as
there was no packet crossing. In the evening at the
avberge where he was lodged, he noticed a young woman
who seemed in agony of mind — ^this was rather a common
thing in those days. At last she summoned up courage
to speak to him, saying, "I throw myself on your mercy.
I see you are a foreigner. I escaped from Paris where I
had foolishly gone to try and save some important docu-
ments. My husband would have gone but he is very ill in
England and I persuaded him to allow me to do so.
I am without a passport, and hardly dare to embark as
there is a price on my head, and I am certain to be arrested
and sent back to Paris. Can you help me?" Fulton
said, " I will do my best. I have my American passport,
oddly enough by error it was made out for myself and
wife, but she is in America. If you are willing to pass as
Mrs. Fulton, my wife, you are welcome to the little pro-
tection I can give you." As the lady in question was dis-
guised and very simply dressed the plan succeeded and
with the deepest gratitude she parted with him at Dover,
without revealing her name to him. Some years later
when Fulton was in Paris trying to raise money to put
his inventions into practice, he strolled one night into the
Th6&tre Fran^ais. Looking around the auditorium he
spied, much to his astonishment, in one of the boxes the
lady of his adventure splendidly dressed and covered
with jewels; at the same time she recognized him and
waved her fan to him, sending her husband at once to
escort him to her box. It was through her all the money
was found for him to carry out his great work. One
rarely hears of such gratitude. It was the Duchesse de L.

APRIL

Mamma is in her element. We are most uncomfortable.
Everything in the house is turned upside down, nothing
but cleaning. There is but one room sacred and that

147

1819] DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN

is father's, where I take refuge. Every window is open,
we might as well live in the street; fortunately we are
entre Cour et Jardin. The concierge at the gate has
orders to refuse admittance to all carriages. It is mamma's
and Berthal's carnival as we have taken a house near
Geneva for several months. We are taking some of the
servants, the others we will procure there. The servants
leave shortly as they go by diligence. We have hired a
roomy travelling carriage and will only take our body
servants with us — ^that is, two maids, father's man and
Lucien. They will be stowed away in the rumble. It
will take us over a week. I am not looking forward
to it.

MAY

We leave for Geneva to-morrow. I will be glad of the
rest. The life of a young man is a very gay one, burning
the candle both ends.

MAY 12

After all when everything was packed, the travelling
carriages engaged, father has some very important
dispatches which will keep us here another two months.
I was sorry for mamma and the servants who were going
to take their holidays. The house was all done up for
the summer, now everything has to be uncovered and
put straight. The best part of it is, Madame S. had
started to Aix en Savoi en route for Geneva. She will
be furious. She is quite capable of coming back. Still,
I will have a short breathing time of freedom. We had
excused ourselves to so many people who had sent us
invitations that we will look very stupid. To console
Frances, who was looking forward to our visit, I took her
to Suresnes; drove her in my curricle, hired a canoe and
we went on the river. It was a glorious day, with that
delicious smell of spring in the air. We started early and

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DIARY OP JAMES GALLATIN [1819

I took something to eat, landed on an island and had a
picnic. We had chicken and hard-boiled eggs, but we
had forgotten the salt — it was stupid of Madame Berthal.
She had put in some splendid peaches that we were going to
take on the journey, they were good: it quite restored
Frances to her usual gaiety. She and I are such good
friends but she has got a temper of her own. I have
none, I often wish I had. We did not get home until
after sunset. I lost an oar, which delayed us. I think it
must have been the peach juice which went to my head
as we had nothing to drink stronger than barley-water
with lemon. We were as happy as two children. I think
I was the younger of the two.

NOVEMBER 1

We are now settled down at home, glad to get back.
Father still doing his best to effect a settlement of the
Indemnity claims, but it is an uphill task. Monsieur
Decazes is far more difficult to deal with than the Due
de Richelieu. Paris very gay — balls every night. The
King is far from well; we have no Court functions as
yet. The Duchesse d'Orlfians gave a splendid ball on
the 4th; all the gardens illuminated — a fine sight. It
seems the poor old King was really made ill by the dis*
covery of a plot to make him abdicate in favour of Mon-
sieur; although Monsieur denied all knowledge of it,
he nevertheless was the instigator of it. We are having
a large Christmas dinner — Americans, French, and
English. Christmas is little kept by the French; New
Year's Day is the great festival. The Carnival is very
early this year, so the gaieties will go on. Both the
Due de Berri and the Due d'0rl6ans have made great
innovations. They said the Coiurt was much too dull,
so have invited all sorts and conditions, not only to
parties but to dinners — savants, wits, deputies of all
shades and colour.

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18191 DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN
DECEMBER 8

The famous Abb£ Gr^goire* was turned out of the
Chamber of Deputies yesterday. He certainly is an
extraordinary mixture. It was he who proposed the
abolition of royalty; he also demanded of the Assembly
the condemnation to death of Louis XVI. It was he
who made the Assembly accord civil rights to the Jews
and coloured people. He tried to oppose the great
Napoleon in every way, but with little success.
We dined yesterday with the Comte and Comtesse
D'Orsay. He is a wonderful fop but very witty. Some
of his stories would make even a man blush, but he
seems to be a privileged person. Sosthdne de la Roche-
foucauld was one of the guests — a person very full of
his own importance. Also that terrible Madame de Boigne
and her brother were among the guests; she tackled
father after dinner, asking him all sorts of questions
about manners and customs in America. I think he was
a little wearied by her, as I heard him say to her, " Madame,
when we have a social revolution in America we may
have better manners, as you have." She exclaimed,
"You are not an American, you are one of us." He
answered, "Pardon me, I represent a young and great
country of which I am justly proud." She is really a
firebrand.

DECEMBER 8

Mamma is preparing for Christmas: plum-puddings are
being made. Madame Berthal looks utterly disgusted
when she goes down to the kitchen to stir the puddings;
I do the same and so does Frances. Father only laughed
when we told him about it, and says, "Why not?"
Madame R6camier has invited me to dinner for the 17th.
I consider it a great honour as I am so young. Four notes
to-day from Madame S. — the first in despair, the second

* The Abb6 Gr^goire, bom December 4, 1750, died April 28, 1831.

150

DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN [1819

apologizing for being in despair, the third gay and frivo-
lous, the fourth apologizing for being gay and frivolous.
Why will women write so much? — ^a dangerous habit.
All four went immediately into the fire. Hysterical
shrieks from the housekeeper's room. I rushed out to
see what was the matter. I met Berthal supporting
Frances and trying to balance her head-dress. Frances
was peeling some apples and had cut her finger; like the
silly little goose that she is, she fainted at the sight of her
own blood. I looked at her hand and said, ''What
nonsense, it's nothing!" As she passed she gave me
a good kick. She has inherited something from mamma.
Off to a supper. No time to write any more.

DECEMBER 18

A most amusing dinner at Madame R6camier's, followed
by a very funny little lampoon on the Queen of Sweden;
it was called Trouvez-moi, man Homme. It was really
very clever and well acted. Madame de J. represented
the unfortunate queen, and I really thought at first it
must be the Bernadotte in person. Some music followed.
One fat lady with ample and bulging charms — in fact,
bulging everywhere — played the harp. Her arms were
like legs of mutton; both arms were covered with jingling
bracelets. This, perhaps, was fortunate, as it sounded
like sleigh-bells with the occasional breaking of a string
or the snapping of a whip. When she had finished there
was not a string left on the harp.

DECEMBER 19

The Due de Coigny has invited me to Fontainebleau for
a chasse for two days. He is the governor of the ch&teau
and has a beautiful house. I am certain to enjoy myself.

DECEMBER 20

We are a very large party, all men — Mathieu de Mont-
morency, the Due de Serent, the Prince de Poix, the

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1819] DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN

Marquis de Champonet, and a host of others. I drove
down with the Prince de Poix, who kindly offered to
take me. We hunt to-morrow morning. The duke has
placed two horses at my disposal. To-night he presented
me with the badge of the chaase, which was a great honour.

DECEMBER 22

We had a perfect day, but I was too tired to write last
night. It was very late when I was able to retire, as I
cannot leave until my elders and superiors go. The fine
air made me so sleepy. We killed seven fine aangliera —
one fell to me, of which I was very proud; also two
fine deer. It is a wonderful pretty sight the curie in
front of a chfiteau by torchlight at night; all the spoils
of the chase are laid out in front of the famous horseshoe
staircase, then a sort of fanfare of cora de chasse is blown
for each head of game — in fact, a sort of funeral hymn.
I go back to Paris to-morrow in Mathieu de Mont-
morency's coach; he is Governor of Compi^gne. Such
funny posts they have at Court. The Comte de Coss6
Brissac is Premier panetier du Boi.

DECEMBER 24

I have managed to save a little money, and with the legacy
which I had from my aunt, which was five hundred francs,
I have bought Frances a small string of pearls with a
nice diamond clasp. As we were not able to dine with
the de Broglies last Christmas we are dining with them
to-morrow. Mamma sent the Duchesse a plum-pudding,
a huge one. Our cousins Naville and Jules de Bud6
arrived to-night from Geneva to pay us a visit. Jules is .
a kindred spirit of mine. Adrien Naville's mother was
an heiress. Mile de Gallatin, the only daughter of the
Count Paul Michael, the head of the family and father's
guardian. Her mother was nSe de Bugnac and niece
of the Due de Biron; so Adrien has a host of relatives
in Paris. Father is very fond of him as he is very clever

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DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN [1819

and studious. Jules is quite the opposite; his studies
are devoted to that of the female form divine.

DECEMBER 26

We had such a cheerful Christmas Eve. Some Americans
who have no relatives here; father insisted on inviting
them and made mamma prepare a present for each. For
supper we had one of the famous plum-puddings, which
was carried in all ablaze. Frances has been hugging me
ever since I gave her the necklace. I tell her to pay
attention to all the pearls that fall from my lips. Oh,
woman, woman I Dear mamma gave me a large pair of
worsted mittens which she had knitted herself; she
intended them for a great surprise, but every time for
the last fortnight I went into her room there was a
scuffle. One day they were lying in her chair; she
suddenly sat down on them, needles and all. They are
orange and brown, absolutely hideous, but I will wear
them as I cannot wound her feelings. Father gave me
five hundred francs — it was good of him; Frances, a
satin shaving-paper holder which she had worked with
our coat-of-arms, which was quite crooked.
The dinner at the de Broglie's was quite delightful, without
any ceremony. Both Adrien and Jules are cousins of
Albertine's. We were twenty in all — mostly family.
First we had some silly charades and then we ended by
dancing. Jules drank much too much. Mamma said
to me, "How could you?" I said, "It's Jules; I'm
not drunk." We all had presents: mine was a beautiful
whip for my curricle with an ivory handle and gold end
engraved with my initials. To Frances they gave a
lovely brooch formed of a large aquamarine surrounded
by small diamonds.

DECEMBER SO

I have been literally burning the candle at both ends.
I do not think Jules and I have slept in our own beds

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since Christmas night. He looks a wreck. I am sorry
to say that both he and Adrien leave on New Year's Day;
they are going on a tour to Germany and Italy. They
are great friends, although so absolutely different in
character.

DECEMBER 31

Jules and I have made all sorts of engagements. I am
going to have a nap this afternoon as I am certain we
shall be up until the small hours of to-morrow morning.
Good-bye 1819; I part with you with regret. What a
pity I cannot say *^Au revoir" I

JANUARY 1, 1820

"A Happy New Year." New resolutions, only to be
broken. Such a night! Last night I did not get home
until 7 o'clock this morning. This is rather Irish I
We have just come from paying our respects to the
King — the same New Year's Court; also to the Palais
Royale and to the Elys6e. It is such weary waiting,
standing all the time. I wonder father bears it so well;
he never seems tired.

JANUARY 24

A magnificent ball at the Elys^e last night. In the
morning news had come to us of the death of the Duke
of Kent, but it was not to be made public until to-day,
so the ball would take place. The Due de Berri looked
very much out of temper. The Orleans family did not
appear, and it at once became whispered about that
the Duke of Kent* was dead. Of course it had a very
bad effect. Had the Allies still been here there would
have been no ball. It seems a great relief to the Royal
Family that the Allies have been withdrawn. I am not
surprised — but that they do not show much gratitude.

* Duke of Kent, son of George HI, and father of the late Queen
Victoria.

154

DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN 11820

FEBRUARY 8

We had a fine time yesterday. Some of our ladies of
the opera were going to have a fine car for the Carnival.
Several of us wanted to join them, but they were not
allowed to have men in their car. We got over the
diflBculty by getting women's costumes. There were
six of us all dressed in full ballet dress, fleshing tights,
and full ballet-skirts; bare arms and necks, wigs and
masks. I was nearly frozen. We had a lot of cham-
pagne, which helped to keep us warm. We had supper
at the Maiaon DorSe and such a supper I About 2
o'clock in the morning there was a loud knocking at the
door: "Ouorez, au nom du Roi." You can imagine
our feelings — particularly mine, as I was the only one
belonging to an embassy — to be found in ballet-skirts
by the police! The door was opened and in walked
three of the heads of the police. " Vos noms, messieurs
el dairies.^* We had taken off our wigs and masks, so
were easily recognized. Suddenly there was a shout
from Rochefoucauld, who jumped on the leading man,
dragging off his hat and wig, discovering Puys6gur. To
all three he did the same thing. With roars of laughter
they told us they had disguised themselves and had been
to every room in the caf6 and had taken the names of
all the occupants. We were the first to find them out.
As they were all friends of ours, we made them join us>
and the fun became fast and furious. De la Rochefou-
cauld had suddenly remembered that during the Carnival
no descents of the police were made, so he risked pulling
off Puysfigur's wig. It took me a long time to recover
from the shock. It would have been a serious matter
for me, particularly if it had been made public. I would
have been obliged to leave Paris. I do not know what
father would have done. Oh, my head to-day 1 We
are planning some more mischief to come off before the
end of the Carnival. PuysSgur had a list of several well-
known people, whose names he took. We are going to
make them dance before we have finished.

155

18W] DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN

FEBRUARY 10

We put our heads together and have sent the most
official-looking documents to all whose names were taken
to appear at the Hotel de Ville to-morrow. We intend
going to some vantage-point to see them arrive.

FEBRUARY 11

Our joke came off splendidly. Coach after coach
drove up, but when the occupants asked for a certain
room, which number we put on the document, they
were informed there was no such room. Then one of
the documents was shown to an official, who said, ''It
is Carnival; you have been duped." I wish you could
have seen their faces. Some of the ones of high rank
had written to the Due de Berri to intercede for them and
did not appear. He had been informed that it was a
joke and joined in it. We won't hear anything about it.
There is not one dare make any trouble. It seems the
Duke was very much amused, and has made many sallies
about it to the unfortunate ones, particularly the married
ones.

FEBRUARY IS

On Saturday there was a magnificent ball given by
Monsieur de Greffuhle. He had lately been made a peer.
The Due and Duchesse de Berri were present. There
had been rumours that there was a plot to assassinate
the Duke; all noticed that Monsieur de Greffuhle never
left him, and seemed much relieved when the Berris
retired. The Princesse de Galitzin bade me come to
her box at the opera on Sunday. We had the box adjoin-
ing the Royal one. The Due and Duchesse de Berri
were very well received. At the conclusion of the opera,
before the ballet commenced, the Duchess rose and,
bowing to the audience, retired with the Duke. As I
was not feeling well, I begged Madame de Galitzin to
excuse me and immediately followed. In the corridor

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I heard a commotion, and, opening a door, I found
myself by the Royal exit. Monsieur de Brissac rushed
up to me saying, ''Shut the door and stand by it; do
not let any one pass in or out. There has been an attack
on the life of the Due de Berri.'' At that moment the
Duke appeared, supported on one side by the Duchess
and on the other by Madame de B6thisy.* I could see a
dagger sticking in his breast, but he was talking in a low
voice to his wife. She was wonderfully calm, but tears
were running down her cheeks. She is enceinte. I fear
this may kill her. I heard orders being given to send
at once for Monsieur and the Due d'Angoulfeme. Mon-
sieur arrived first, accompanied by the Due de Fitz James,
and immediately went into the Royal ealon, which is
behind the King's loge. They were closely followed by
the Due d'AngouI^me and the Due de Maille; then
came Monsieur Decazes and a host of others. , It was
all the more tragic as I could hear the music of the ballet
which was still going on. The audience had no knowl-
edge of what had happened. I forgot to mention that
before anybody arrived I heard a sharp cry from the
Royal scdon. I was told afterwards that the Duke tried
to pull the knife out of his breast but was unable to do
so — ^that Madame de Bfithisy, with great presence of
mind, pulled it out. Both she and the Duchess were
deluged in blood. I heard somebody say, " Does anybody
know if the knife was poisoned?" Monsieur Decazes
passed me hurriedly with Fitz-James. When they
returned (it seems they had been to question the assassin)
I heard Monsieur Decfizes say in a loud voice, "The knife
is not poisoned." By this time several doctors arrived
and were doing all they could to staunch the flow of
blood. I could see into the salon, as the door was left
open as there were so many people. Monsieur Rohan-
Chftbotf came up to me and begged me to still stop by

* Lady in waiting to the Duchess,
t Son of the Due de Rohan.

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the door I was guarding. At that moment the Due
d'Orl&ins, with the Duchesse and Mile d'Orl^ans, passed
into the sahn; they were all in tears. The next thing
I heard was an order given to send for the King. The
Due de Maille went to fetch him. I felt then there could
not be much hope. To my horror, I heard the Duchesse
de Berri in loud tones denouncing Monsieur Decazes,
saying, "C'esi lui, le vrai aasaaain" They tried to stop
her. A sudden hush and the poor old King arrived,
leaning heavily on the Duchesse d'Angouldme and the
Due de Maille.* His Majesty was composed and looking
very stern. It was an extraordinary sight. The Duchesse
d'Angouldme hurriedly passed me and met poor little
Mademoiselle, who had been sent for and came carried
in the arms of Mile de Gontaut.t Then two priests
passed. I knew then the end was near. Suddenly all knelt.
As the sacrament was being given to the dying man I think
everybody was in tears; I know I cried. Then in silence
we all rose to our feet and waited. It seemed hours to
me, as I was ready to drop with fatigue. Then the
priest began intoning a prayer. Again all sank on to
their knees. The end had come. Then a horrible thing
happened. The Duchesse de Berri again commenced to
scream, calling Monsieur Decazes "AssMsinI Assassin!'*
It was really too horrible. After they had quieted her,
in absolute silence — with the exception of the Grand
Chamberlain announcing "Le Roi, le Roi" — a mournful
procession passed me. First, the King supporting the
Duchesse de Berri, who had the hand of Mademoiselle,
the Duchesse d'Angoul^me on the other side of her;
they were followed by all the rest of the Royal Family.
I could hear the orders given by the officers to the soldiers
who by now were keeping the streets.
Monsieur de Brissac came to me, shook my hands and

* Grand Chamberlain of Louis XVIII.

tThe MS. here is illegible and I have had to guen at the
meaning. — ISd,

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DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN [1820

simply said "Merci." He asked me if I would like to
go into the scdon. I followed him. He motioned me
to kneel and, handing the brush from the holy-water bowl,
motioned me to sprinkle the corpse, which I did. I
would not believe the Duke was dead. He was still sitting
up in a large gilt arm-chair, his head supported by a
cushion, and surrounded by the officers of his household.
The priest knelt in front of him praying. It was a
sight I will never forget. In silence Monsieur de Maille
shook my hand, and I retired. On gaining the street,
which was packed with people and troops, I had great
difficulty in getting^ through the crowd, had it not
happened that I was recognized by one of the officers.
Monsieur de PuysSgur, who sent an escort of soldiers to
make way for me. Although more dead than alive when
arriving at home, I at once went up to father's room and
awakened him. When I told him the news he exclaimed,
"What a catastrophe! — ^the unfortunate Bourbons — ^a
blow for France indeed!" He made me go at once to
bed as I was hardly able to stand.

FEBRUARY 16

At 10 o'clock this morning a note was sent that all the
Diplomatic Corps were to go to the Tuilleries at 1 o'clock.
I accompanied father. The large salle was in total darkness
with the exception of about twenty large candles (cierges) in
great silver candlesticks. In order of seniority, first the
Ambassadors and their suites, then the Ministers, passed
before the throne, in front of which was standing the
Due d'Angoulgme surrounded by the high Court officials
in the deepest mourning. Absolute silence with the
exception of the announcement by the Grand Chamber-
lain as the representative of each country passed — La
Russie, I'Espagne, &c. &c. — followed by the dropping on
the floor of the halberds with a ringing sound. It was
most solemn and impressionable. The Duke bowed to
each one. Not a word was spoken. So we passed out.

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The assassin's name is Louvel, a saddler. It seems he
has been following the poor Duke for a long time waiting
his opportunity. He must have had many chances as
the Duke went about in the most open manner, often
quite alone. Rumours of all sorts. Some say it was a
conspiracy. The Duchesse de Berri still accuses Monsieur
Decazes of being the head of it. Others that it was
a personal revenge. "Cherchez la femme,'* others say;
the Duke's amours were so well known — he not taking
the slightest care to hide them.

FEBRUARY 17

This morning father went to the Palais Royal and was
received by Mile d'Orl&ins. She was in great grief; she
was devoted to the Due de Berri. She said, when dying
he was the most collected and calm of them all, that he
thought of everybody — of two children, girls, who were
in England; they are the daughters of a "Miss Brown"
whom he married in London under a false name before
the Restoration. He begged his wife to take them and to
bring them up as if they were her own daughters. She
promised to do so. He tried to comfort one and all.

FEBRUARY 18

So great is the outcry against Monsieur Decazes that
he will have to leave the Ministry. Father is much
incensed about it; I will not for one moment believe
that he was in any way implicated. Decazes' life has
been threatened and he has to go about guarded. The
people insult him as he passes in his carriage; they are
incensed against him. It is a strange thing that the
populace always have affection for a Royalty who is
a little wild. It was exactly the same with Henri IV,
whom the late Duke much resembled in the life he led.

FEBRUARY 19

A Monsieur Claude de Coursergues, a deputy, denounced
Monsieur Decazes in the Chamber yesterday as insti-

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DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN [1820

gator of the assassination. I am glad to say he was
indignantly howled down.

The King sent this morning for the Due de Richelieu,
who was on the eve of starting for England to compliment
George IV on his accession. The King requested him
to take Monsieur Decazes' place, but he absolutely
refused to do so. When pressed for his reasons he said
"the King was so old" and that "Monsieur" (the
heir to the Crown) was absolutely opposed to him.

FEBRUARY 21

It seems that Monsieur had given his word that if he
became king he would support Monsieur de Richelieu.
Still nothing decided.

FEBRUARY 22

Monsieur Decazes has begged the King to accept his
resignation. After some time, it seems, the King, with
great grief, accepted it. He created him "Due" and
he goes to London as ambassador. Monsieur de Richelieu
at last has consented to accept office. Monsieur has
given him every promise of support in every way. Father
has no faith in Monsieur's promises. * He thinks him
false in everything.

The lying-in-state and funeral of the Due de Berri was
very fine. The actual funeral was not on so grand a
scale as that of the Prince de Cond6, which I have
mentioned before.

MARCH 1820

The Duchesse de Berri is more violent than ever against
the Due de Decazes and his party; it is all very painful.
Of course all gaiety and entertaining is at an end. For
myself, I have no heart for it. I can scarcely realize
that the poor Duke is dead — always so gay and cheerful,
so full of life and spirits. He will be more and more
missed as time goes on; there is nobody to fill his place.
The Queen of Sweden is getting madder and madder^

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she does not let poor Monsieur de Richelieu alone for a
moment; she is the laughing-stock of Paris. He will
not even speak to her, but that seems to egg her on all
the more. Louvel was questioned in private, but his
trial will not take place as yet. Some say he is a
lunatic.

APRIL

I only go to the Ftan^ais now. Mile George is very fine.
Poor old Talma one can hardly hear. It is really sad to
see the wreck of such a once fine actor; still at times
he has fine bursts of passion, revealing some of his old
powers. The opera has been closed since the assassina-
tion of the Duke.

APBIL

A bomb exploded yesterday at the Louvre. Rumour
says that several bombs have been discovered in the
gardens and under the windows of the Duchesse de Berri.
The poor old King is much disturbed. He, as well as
everybody else, fears that if a bomb did explode near
to the apartment occupied by the Duchesse de Berri
it might bring on a premature confinement. Since the
death of the Duke the Duchess has moved to the Tuilleries.
The eyes of the whole of France are fixed on the palace,
hoping for an heir. Louvel's trial commenced on the
5th. I applied for permission to attend, which was
granted.

It seems he is now thought to be a lunatic and there will
be a further trial. All this must be most painful to the
Royal Family. There are strange rumours afloat about
the bombs; even the Duchesse de Berri's name is
mentioned — ^it is too monstrous.

MAY 1820

An officer of bad character has been arrested in con-
nexion with the bomb explosions. He is to be tried
at once.

16S

DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN [1820

Madame Patterson Bonaparte has intimated her inten-
tion of paying a visit to Paris; she is now in Geneva.
The Duchesse de Courland (Talleyrand's niece) has
been troubling father very much lately. She has interest
in property in America and seems to think it is his place
to attend to it for her. This has given us all a chance,
mamma in particular, as the Duchess comes to see him
nearly daily; we all say it is a second case of the Queen
of Sweden and Monsieur de Richelieu. I really think
it is beginning to trouble him, as he has a horror of any
scandal being attached to his name. Pozzo di Borgo
strongly advised him to get rid of her. He thinks
anybody who has any connexion with Monsieur de Talley-
rand dangerous. He has, like father, supreme contempt
for the latter — calls him a turncoat, a liar, libertine, &c. &c.
He certainly is a man without a vestige of principle.

JUNE

Frances is now seventeen and remarkably pretty. Had
the Court not been in mourning she would have made
her d6but, but will now have to wait until next year.
I think mamma is very glad, as she dreads having to
sit up so late. We tell her she is very lucky only to have
one daughter — that most Englishwomen have eight or
ten.

JUNE 6

To-day was Louvel's trial. I was present. There were
no revelations of any kind. He is a poor lunatic. He
had nursed the idea he must kill somebody for years.
He is to be executed to-morrow.

JUNE 8

I now deeply regret I went to the execution. There
was a large body of troops as there had been serious
disturbance in the night. It was at 3 o'clock in
bright June sunshine, which made it all the more horrible.

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18«0] DIARY OP JAMES GALLATIN

I never could imagine human beings could turn into
beasts; a French mob is horrible. One now realizes
what the Terror was. The wretched assassin was half
dead before he was dragged up the steps of the guillotine.
It was all over in a moment. I had to go and drink
some brandy — a thing I have never done in my life
before. It took me two hours to get out of the howling
crowd, more like wild animals than anything else — ^the
women far worse than the men.

JULY

We again go to Geneva for two months. I will be very

glad of the rest and quiet. Of course father has had

nothing to do. The affairs of the Court, with all the

plots and counter-plots, have occupied all the time of the

Ministry.

Madame de Courland has been got rid of. Father has

a very pale face and white hands; Pozzo di Borgo

hinted to her that he had leprosy. She wrote begging

father not even to write to her, that she feared she had

troubled him too much, &c. &c. Poor Pozzo passed a

bad quarter of an hour with mamma, who will never

forgive him. Father was much amused.

Monsieur de Chateaubriand is deeply hurt that he is

not in the Ministry; neither the King nor Monsieur de

Richelieu like him. We leave to-morrow for Geneva. . • .

164

PART IV

THE MINISTRY IN FRANCE

FROM THE ASSASSINATION OF THE DUG DE BERBI
TO THE RETURN OF ALBERT GALLATIN TO AMERICA

SEPTEMBER ISiO-JUNE 1828

SEPTEMBER 1820: GENEVA

Father has just had news of a great conspiracy. Unfor-
tunately Monsieur de Lafayette is mixed up in it — in
fact, one of the leaders; others are the Due de Rovigo,
Monsieur Lafitte, General Pajol, and a host of others.
There is to be a trial before the Court of Peers. I am
glad we are here, as if we had been in Paris it would have
caused father great worry. He has a very deep affection
for Monsieur de Lafayette.

Madame Patterson Bonaparte is here. She is much
sought after; her wit and beauty seem to open all doors
to her. She is very bitter at the present moment against
Mrs. Caton, one of whose daughters married Madame B.'s
brother Robert and is now a widow. There is great
scandal about her and the Duke of Wellington. He
follows her everywhere; in fact, it is an open secret
that she is his mistress. Mrs. Caton has married another
of her daughters to a Mr. Harvey. The third one is
very beautiful, and the mother has great hopes of making
a fine marriage for her. Madame Bonaparte talks of
nothing else but "Bo'^ her son, and his marriage. As
he is now only a fat boy it is a little premature.

SEPTEMBER 28

We arrived in Paris this morning to find the city in a
ferment of enthusiasm on account of the birth of a son

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1820] DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN

to the Duchesse de Bern yesterday. It was really
wonderful to see the change in everybody. When we
left in May all was dull and black; now everybody,
even the streets, are radiant. Cannon are booming;
fireworks at night, feu de joie, and goodness knows what.
We had at once to go to the palace pour nous inscrire.
They say the King is delighted.

SEPTEMBER 29

The child is called the Due de Bordeaux.* He was
privately christened at once, but there is to be a great
public christening later on.

We went to-day to the Palais Royal. It did not strike
me that the Orleans family looked or seemed particularly
pleased. The two daughters of "Mrs. Brown" were
there; they are treated with great kindness and have
been given titles. "Mrs. Brown" has been given a
ch&teau in Brittany. She certainly behaved wonderfully
well. Her marriage in England was quite en rigle.
Oddly enough, there is a boy as well, but no notice has
been taken of him; he is simply called "Thomas Brown."

OCTOBER

It has been the most extraordinary trial of the leaders
of the conspiracy of August. All the leaders have
escaped free and only some most unimportant persons
have been punished. The Due de Bassano has been
allowed to return to France. He is so old and considered
quite harmless now.

NOVEMBER

We have some work to do, as Monsieur de Richelieu has
intimated to father that he is willing to open negotiations
re the Indemnity. That anything will really be done

^Henri-Charles-Ferdinand-Marie-Dieudoim^ d'Artois, Due de Bor-
deaux, born September 28, 1820, afterwards known as the Comte de
Chambord.

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DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN [1820

I strongly doubt. Mr. Sheldon has gone on a holiday,
so all the important work falls on my shoulders. Paris
still dull as far as Society goes. I was pointed out the
Marquise de Guiccioli yesterday, Lord Byron's mistress;
she is very charming to look at, gentle and sweet.
Of course the one topic of conversation is the Duchesse
de Berri and her son, the Due de Bordeaux — "EspSrance
de la France" as he is called. The King looks much
better, is far more cheerful. There are some unpleasant
rumours of the Due d'0rl6ans having thrown doubts on
the legitimacy of the Due de Bordeaux, but I believe it
is without question of a doubt that he is the son of the
Due de Berri. When the latter was dying he said to the
King, "Soigne mafemme; elle est enceinte.**
I am going to f £tes every night as Paris is again plunged
into wild gaiety. The people are too glad of an excuse
to throw ofiP the mourning and gloom. Frances makes
her d£but at the first Court. I have been telling her
how to behave. She has a dancing mistress to teach
her how to curtsy and to back without tumbling over.
The christening of the Due de Bordeaux was a splendid
sight. He was held up at an open window to be shown
to the populace and was received with roars of cheers.
The old Duke of Gordon was present; I was so glad
to see him. I had a little love affair with Katinka
Galitzin. Her father is not very rich, and as I have
nothing, it soon came to an end. We remain the best
of friends.

Really Mr. Astor is dreadful. Father has to be civil to
him, as in 1812-13 he rendered great services to the
Treasury. He came to dejeuner to-day; we were simply
* en famiUe, he sitting next to Frances. He actually wiped
his fingers on the sleeves of her fresh white spencer.
Mamma in discreet tones said, "Oh, Mr. Astor, I must
apologize; they have forgotten to give you a serviette."
I think he felt foolish.

A splendid Court ball last night; the dresses and jewels

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18201 DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN

of the ladies and the superb uniforms of the men
made a fine show. Father looks like a blot of ink
amongst all this finery. Of course I dress as I like;
we have no official diplomatic uniform in America.
Some near-sighted Hungarian officer, not seeing he
was in front of the Duchesse d'Angoullme, caught
his spur in the lace of her dress and tore yards of
splendid lace. He was covered with confusion, but she
was so gracious; she is so womanly. I do not think I
have ever seen so sad a face, but she is the most royal-
looking person I have ever seen; the "descendant of a
hundred kings" certainly applies to her. I noticed her
expression of intense scorn when Prince de Talleyrand
passed; he is horrible.

With the change of Ministry after the disgrace, or at
least removal, of the Due de Decazes, Monsieur de
Richelieu is again in power. Monsieur de Serre, Minister
of Justice; Pasquier, Affaires £trangdres (which father
much regrets); Latour Maubourg, Ministre de la Guerre;
Portal Marine and Roy, Ministre des Finances; Baron
Meunier, Directeur of Police; and Monsieur Sim£on»
Ministre de rint6rieur. Father thinks it a very weak
Government — ^that it will not last long. • • •

NOVEMBER

The Marquis de Lauriston, a descendant of Law, the
South Sea Bubble adventurer, is appointed Ministre de la
Maison du Roi. We had a small savierie for Frances
and her young friend. She's now seventeen. It was
very pretty; all the young girls were so fresh and enjoyed
everything so much it was a pleasure to watch them.
Dear mamma had arranged a surprise in the shape of a
gift hunt. We all were given numbers and then we went
into the gallery, where all the presents were hidden in
all sorts of the most out-of-the-way places. I helped her
to arrange it with the invaluable Berthal. Each had a
number corresponding with tickets. It was really good

168

DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN [1820

and quite delightful — such laughter and little suppressed
shrieks of delight when the parcel with the corresponding
number was discovered. The presents were so pretty —
a donkey with a wobbley head for me and a goose full
of bon-bons for Frances. We both agreed it was too
personal; mamma has more wit than we gave her
credit for. Father came in with dear Pozzo di Borgo
and looked on at the "hunt/^ and was much amused.
Then a delightful little supper. It was all over by 11
o'clock. Of course there is little entertaining on a
large scale on account of the Due de Berri's death; we
of the eorpa diplomatique entertain in a small way. The
English Ambassadress has sent out invitations for a
party for very young people for Thursday; it is to be
costumi. Frances is going as "Titania" and I as
the ass. I have had a wonderful head made by the
costumier of the opera; it is all of silk and is very light —
not at all hot.

The little hal costumS was a great success; some of the
dresses were beautiful. Frances was as pretty as any-
body; she has that lovely skin and such beautiful eyes.
Her dress was all clinging white silver material, and
she had a wreath of light blue cornflowers in her hair,
which was flowing down her back. Her wand was a
huge sunflower. Sosth^ne de la Rochefoucauld, with
his usual cynical manner, came up to me and said:
^*T<nU le monde te reconnait; tu n^as pas pu choisir un
costume qui t*ira mieuxJ* I will be even with him yet.
I never knew a man who fancied himself so much; he
is a male Madame de Boigne.

We had a Maypole dance; there was a beautiful "may-
pole" decorated with flowers and ribbons. After this
was finished we all (the young people) filed before the
Ambassador and Ambassadress dancing a polonaise.
We arrived home at midnight, but I went out again.
Father has enjoined mamma never to ask me any ques-
tions — very wise, I think, as if I told her the truth she

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1820] DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN

would soon be in her grave, with her strict ideas. Will I
ever reform? Paris is waking up. Pozzo di Borgo is
giving a sauterie for Frances. He sent to Russia for all
sorts of beautiful presents; he has consulted mamma
about some original way of distributing them.

NOVEMBER 20

It was delightful at the Russian Embassy — ^all very
young people. After supper the doors of the ballroom
were thrown open; half-way across the room a great
rope of flowers about three feet from the ground, at the
far end a row of targets. Silver arrows were presented
to the ladies and gold ones to the gentlemen; we had
to throw them at the targets. If we hit (I am sorry to
say the girls often missed), Pozzo, assisted by several
ambassadors, presented us with the most beautiful
Russian bibelots, much too fine. I had a beautiful inlaid
snuff-box; Frances a complete Russian peasant costume
— the head-dress had seed-pearls and turquoises on it.
We danced all sorts of pretty dances, ending with a
Russian mazurka which twelve of us had learnt. I led
off with Katinka Galitzin. It was really extremely pretty
and very well done. We had straps covered with gilt
bells on our ankles — that is, the men; the girls had the
same on their wrists. The orchestra as a finale played
all the different national airs. "Yankee Doodle"
sounded rather tame and vulgar after the grand Russian
Hymn and "God save the King." Oddly enough, "God
save the King" is the national Hymn of Geneva; it
was played after the "Escalade" in 1602. The name
of the composer is not known; both Lulli and Handel
claimed it, but that is absurd, as the original manuscript
music is in the Arsenal at Geneva. After a Russian
punch chaud, which Pozzo insisted upon our drinking,
home we went. I was very tired.

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DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN [18*0

SUNDAY

Frances came down to breakfast this morning in her
Russian costume. Poor mamma's face was a study in
religion. She could not utter at firsts so father stepped
in the breach, saying, "How lovely you look, and where
did all this finery come from?" He knew nothing of it
as he has not been at the Embassy. By this time mamma
had recovered her speech. I saw the storm coming.
"Frances, have you forgotten that it is the Lord's Day?
Go to your room and pray for forgiveness." I left the
room; so did father.

NOVEMBER 1820

Dined at the Spanish Embassy. The Papal nuncio was
present. All ladies in high waists. It seems it is not
etiquette for ladies to be dScoUetS when he is present,
excepting at Court. Madame S. embarrasses me at times;
I feel hot all over, as I am quite certain people must see
how she looks at me. Mamma was very fine in red
velvet. Her skin is so deadly white and fine that she
would be noticed anywhere; I was very proud of her.
After the nuncio retired some Spanish dances were danced
beautifully. Such a strange custom I When the nuncio
arrived he was preceded by two footmen walking back*
wards holding silver candelabra with lighted candles;
the same thing was repeated when he retired. I noticed
he looked astonished when mamma did not kiss his ring.
It was afterwards explained to him that she was a
Protestant. Driving home, father laughingly teased her
about it, saying she should have done so. "No such
flummery for me," she said. We found Frances had
high fever. A doctor was sent for and fears it is scarlet
fever; he says he cannot be certain until to-morrow«
as there is no rash as yet.

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1820] DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN

DECEMBER 2

Poor Frances has scarlet fever and is isolated in the chfilet
in the garden. Mamma will not leave her. Father had
some news from America which has rather annoyed him.
It seems some ignorant Yankee called attention to the way
he was living in Paris — ^that his house was too large, that
his servants wore showy liveries, &c. &c. Father is
simplicity itself, but he feels he ought to keep up a
certain style in a country where such things are so much
thought of; he feels it is due to the prestige of the
country he represents. They might just as well resent
his going to Court — it is quite ridiculous. Monsieur
de Lafayette has just called; he consulted him on the
matter. The former is certainly republican enough in
all his ideas. Father has penned a very dignified answer,
which I have just drafted. He requests to be recalled
if his way of living is not considered proper, but that
he will not change it in any way. He and I are dining
with the Barings to-day. Of course mamma had to
excuse herself on account of Frances.

DECEMBER 4

We had a charming dinner at the Barings'. The old
Due de Bassano was present. He is really about the
only respectable person that Napoleon created a duke,
although he was a lawyer or hommes d'affaires, or some-
thing of that sort, but of low origin. Poor Frances is
better as it is a mild attack. In any case it will prevent
her from going to any of the Christmas festivities. Mamma
feared her complexion might be injured, but the doctor
assures her it will not be in any way affected. • . •

DECEMBER

I have refused all invitations for the present as, although
Frances is still isolated, I have never had scarlet fever
myself. The doctor thinks I had better remain quiet
for a few days. . • •

172

DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN [1820

DECEMBER 10

I had a piece of very bad luck to-day. A certain lady
of the grand monde had smiled upon me. I had a rendez-
vous with her at the old Palais Royal in the Marais in
the afternoon. It is the most unlikely place in the world
to meet anybody. I know of a very quiet little caf6
there with cabinet partictdier; as we walked toward it
I spied a lady approaching with a footman behind her.
Horror of horrors I — mamma I Now if it had been the
moon arm-in-arm with the sun taking a walk I would
not have been more flabbergasted, but it was mamma in
the flesh. Nothing was to be done but to brazen it out.
With a sickly smile and a grand coup de chapeau I
approached her, instantly saying, ''Allow me to present
you to the Comtesse de C." Mamma stared, mamma
curtsied; Madame de C. did the same. Mamma curtsied
again, Madame de C. ditto; but not a word did mamma
utter. I own I was rather proud of her, but the situation
was becoming rather strained. I said to Madame de C,
"Comtesse, will you allow me to conduct you to your
coach?" This really meant a fiacre, as Madame de C.
had left her coach in the Rue de Rivoli. Mamma glared,
ciirtsied again; finding her voice, said, "James, return
when you have found the comtesse's coach," with an
accent grate on the coach. I could not do anything else.
When I did return mamma took my arm and walked
ten times around the Palais Royal. I suppose it will
mean some more tracts when we get home. It seems
the poor old dear, on account of fear of infection to
others, had come to this isolated place to take a little
exercise. My luck is on the wane.

DECEMBER 12

Not a word have I heard since of my little peccadillo.
I think father must have said something, for I am certain
she told him. She really thinks I am still a child, for-
getting I am three-and-twenty.

17»

18211 DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN

DECEMBER 17

Madame de C. will never forgive me; she is furious.

DECEMBER 80

The boulevards are so brilliant for Noel, I walk there

every evening.

DECEMBER 26

The usual Christmas festivities, but I have become very
rangS, so remained at home. All my friends seem to be
getting married, and I am only semi-attached.

JANUARY 1, 1821

Another year gone, and still we stop on here practically
doing nothing. Father is getting old, and I doubt if he
will ever return to America. Mr. Astor has written to
him again making new offers, all of which he has refused.
He says he must not die rich after holding the posts he
has. I have never known of anybody, with the excep-
tion of the Due de Richelieu, who is so absolutely honest
and disinterested; both on his mission to the Hague and
to England he only charged his absolute out-of-pocket
expenses. Would that there were more politicians in
America of his calibre ! I fear there are few, if any. It
is not astonishing he has so many firm friends such as
Alexander Baring, Pozzo di Borgo, Lafayette, and the
Humboldts — men whose friendship is worth having. I
only wish I were more like him.

MONDAY

I had a bad accident skating at Vincennes on Saturday
and broke my arm — fortunately the left one. Had it
been my right arm I do not know what I should have
done. It caused me great pain; the bone-setter was
very rough. To add to my troubles, my hair is beginning
to fall out. This was caused by the fever I contracted

174

DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN [1821

that horrible winter at St. Petersburg. One consolation —
I can always wear a wig.

FEBRUARY 2

I had a horrid accident on Saturday. I was driving a
new horse in my cabriolet with Lucien up behind. Coming
down the EIys6es I spied the King^s coach driven at the
usual high speed, which makes a rumbling. As etiquette
requires, I drew up at the side, and was holding my hat
off when my horse shied and over we went. Of course,
I fell on my injured arm, which has always given me
trouble; it was badly set at first — ^in fact, it had to be
broken again and set, causing me great uneasiness. The
Comtesse de Brissac was passing in her coach; she
stopped and most kindly insisted on conveying me to
her hotel in the Faubourg St.-Honor6, which is quite
close. She sent for a surgeon, and, much to my chagrin,
he announced another slight fracture. After attending
to me, Madame de B. most graciously put her coach at
my disposal to take me home. She is forty but still
very handsome. She held my right hand while the
surgeon was binding my arm; I think she squeezed it.
Nous verrona. Lucien and the horse were not injured
but the cabriolet was damaged.

This morning I was sitting in mamma's boudoir reading,
as my arm was so painful I could not write. Frances
was embroidering and mamma going through her religious
devotions, which consists of reading a sermon of Jeremy
Taylor's, her daily allowance. A footman hurriedly
entered without knocking — a venial offence. He looked
white and scared, and mumbled, "Would Madame
TAmbassadress permit Madame Berthal to speak to her?''
Enter Madame Berthal, very red and flurried, her very
cap quivering with excitement. Approaching mamma,
in a low tone she said, "Madame I'Ambassadress, there
has been an accident. Louise (one of the kitchen wenches)
has tripped over the cat on the lower stairs, and there are

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18211 DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN

two." "Two what?" asked mamma. "Twins,"
replied Madame Berthal. "What nonsense I" said
mamma. "Is the girl injured? It does not matter
about the kittens; drown them." "Not kittens, Madame
I'Ambassadress, babies." Never will I forget mamma's
face. Down went Jeremy Bentham bang on the floor.
Up rose mamma, her cap literally standing on end. She
thundered, * " Frances, leave the room." I could no
longer contain myself and burst into roars of laughter.
This was too much for mamma. "James, I am ashamed
of you. Leave the room at once." I really expected to
receive Jeremy on my head before reaching the door.
Only too glad to escape, I sought refuge in father's room.
When I succeeded in suppressing my laughter I com-
menced telling him what had happened. I had only
commenced my story when he was summoned to mamma's
room. When he returned he tried to look serious, but
I saw the corners of his mouth twitching. Poor Berthal
mamma has dismissed for her want of discretion. Father
sent to the Convent of the Sacr6 Coeur, which is quite
close to us, and obtained permission to send the poor
girl and her twins to the hospital there. He sent for a
coach and had her conveyed there. What passed
between him and mamma I do not know, but she locked
herself in the room for the remainder of the day. Frances
asked me this evening if I thought she could have one
of the kittens. I told her they were drowned I I 1
The twins died last night. . . .
My arm is so painful I cannot write any more. . . .
Mamma has forgiven me. Jean, such a nice-looking
groom, is the cause of all the trouble. He is going to
marry the girl as soon as she is well. Father insists
on retaining them both in his service. Mamma looks
injured and draws deep sighs. Poor Berthal has been
reinstated; father insisted upon it.

176

DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN [1821

FEBRUARY 12

There have been more bomb explosions and the police
have not the slightest clue. On January 27 a bomb in
the Tuilleries — nobody injured. On the 31st another at
the Treasury^ several near the palace windows; still not
the faintest clue. Scenes every day in the Chamber, one
party accusing the other. Then a lull for a time.

FEBRUARY 15

I do not feel well enough to join in the Carnival this year.
The fact is, I have had enough of it all. I am now nearly
four-and-twenty, and it is high time to settle down.
Frances is to make her d6but this year but not until
the spring.

FEBRUARY 17

Such a magnificent ball at the Tuilleries last night.
The Duchesse d'Angoulfime was superbly regal: her
train of white velvet thickly embroidered with gold
fleurs-de-lis with a broad gold border, lined and faced
with ermine; her dress entirely of superb lace, which
they told me had belonged to her mother; the highest
diadem of emeralds and diamonds that I have ever seen,
it was quite four inches. A veil of superb lace hung
down below her shoulders; a belt and stomacher of
diamonds and one enormous emerald in the centre;
from the shoulders hung great strings of diamonds.
The Duchess d'Orlfians in rose-coloured velvet; Mile
d'0rl6ans in blue; the Duchesse de Berri in white with
a train bordered with sable (this was her first appearance
since her husband's assassination). They made a truly
royal group. The poor King was in a chair with wheels,
as he suffers from swollen legs.

FEBRUARY 20

At last I have had a bilious attack. Mamma is in her
element; she loves to say "I told you so.** Now, when

177

1821] DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN

one is bilious one is not in the best of tempers; I do so
long to throw a boot at her.

FEBRUARY 22

All right again and taking Frances to some small evening
parties. She has not been brought up in the French
way; mamma allows her much more liberty. Frances
can take care of herself; she has great dignity combined
with sweetness, and under it all — what shall I call it ? — a
will of her own. She is very lovely to look at.

FEBRUARY 24

Now Lent has come — ^a respite for which I am very
grateful. I am going to do some serious reading and
improve myself; I fear I have been very frivolous up
to the present. Mathieu de Montmorency has invited
me to hunt at Compi&gne, of which he is governor; I
shall certainly avail myself of his kindness. If it were
not that the King's horses were at his disposal and he
offered to mount me, I would not be able to do so on
account of the expense.

MARCH 2

I took Frances to the Palais Royal yesterday afternoon
to see a little religious play acted by the children of the
Due d'Orlfians. The Due de Chartres* is now nearly
twelve years old, and Mile d'Orleans is nine. Some of
the younger children also took part. The other actors
were children of the Due d'Escar and the Montmorency
children. It was really very pretty. After the little
play all the children sat down to a simple dinner; we
waited on them. Their aunt, Mile d'0rl6ans, is so
charming, so simple and unaffected. She is very fond
of father; I think it is that attracts me to her.

^Duc de ChartTOB, son of the Due d'Orleans, bom at Palermo
September 3, ISIO.

178

DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN [1821

MARCH 4

Father has had some disquieting letters from America
about Albert. He has not shown them to me, nor has
he to|d me of their contents, but I fear there is some
trouble; Albert is so odd. I am very sorry, as I dislike
to see father troubled.

MARCH 7

Madame Patterson Bonaparte has been much disappointed
that she has not been able to arrange a marriage for her
"Bo," whom she considers a prince of the House of the
now fallen Bonapartes. Mr. Astor, in whom she has great
confidence, and who has been in Rome, has informed
her that she must not put any reliance in any members of
the Bonaparte family. Madame mire is the most sincere
and the Princesse Pauline Borghesi is absolutely unre-
liable. Her friend, Lady Morgan, is also in Rome, and
told her the same thing. She has written volumes to
father asking his advice. She is really too bad, as she
is certain not to act by it. He has a great dislike for
the Bonaparte family; of course the great brains and
pluck of the first emperor he cannot but have admiration
for.

MARCH 9: COMPIEGNE

I have been here since yesterday, and finely lodged in the
ch&teau. All are most civil and nice to me. We hunted
all day to-day and I am tired out. Just going to bed.

MARCH 12

I came back to Paris yesterday after a most enjoyable
visit. I am a little sorry I went for so long. I find father
has been doing the copying of his own private letters and
dispatches, which he will not allow any one to do with
the exception of myself. We dine with the Due and
Duchesse de Lavalle. I have never seen their hotel,
but father tells me it is the finest in Paris.

179

1821] DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN

MARCH 14

A most painful disclosure has been made. It seems
the Duchesse de Berri told her Father-confessor that
she was the instigator of all the bomb explosions, which
were placed by her own people. He made her tell all
this to the King. All the King said was, "Stop all
further inquiry and try to forgive her.'' She is an
Italian and a lover of intrigue. All this has made a most
painful impression.

MARCH 16» 1821

I really do not know how it will end. Yesterday I was
dining tSte-ortSte with Madame S. — ^her husband being
away, as she thought. Fortunately, she has a most
discreet maid. She, hearing Monsieur S.'s carriage in
the courtyard, rushed and warned us. I was just able
to escape down the escalier de service. I went to the
opera, and I suppose after the fright I had had nothing
amused me, so I returned home. I am glad I did, as
I found the house in an uproar. Poor Berthal had fallen
down the whole flight of marble stairs. Frances says
she is broken to bits. All I could see of her was her
cap, which had at last fallen off and was sitting quietly
on a hall chair. There is a surgeon and two doctors
with her now. Of course mamma is very much worried;
but this did not prevent her forbidding a priest to enter
whom one of the servants had sent for.

MARCH 19

I forgot to write about the Lavalle dinner. It was abso-
lutely superb — on a scale of magnificence quite equal to
a Court entertainment. We sat down eighty at table,
and the banquet lasted for four mortal hours. I counted
thirty footmen. The Duchess was a very great heiress
and the Duke was also very rich.

180

DIARY OP JAMES GALLATIN [1821
MARCH 21

I drove to St.-Cloud to-day in my curricle. It is begin-
ning to rattle a bit. If we stop here much longer I
must have a new one. Poor Mrs. P., of "Bologny"
fame, died to-day. Mr. Livingstone returns from a very
extensive tour and leaves for America at once.

MARCH 25

There is every prospect now of father either going home
or going to London. The latter mamma would prefer,
as she has now become quite reconciled to living abroad;
in fact, I do not think she would care to return home at
present. Father does not like London. He had a long
conference with Pozzo di Borgo to-day. They are such
close friends, and he thinks very highly of Pozzo's opinion.
Lafayette dined here yesterday; he has aged con-
siderably, but is always delightful. Father fears as he
gets older he will be even more indiscreet than in his
youth, or indeed more impulsive.

MARCH 99

Some very disagreeable communications from Mr. Adams
to-day. I really think he, being now Secretary of State,
is paying father up for imaginary wrongs when at Ghent.
When I look back upon that time I am amazed that
father bore so well with him and Mr. Clay; they were
quarrelling like two spoiled children all the time. Father
did all he could to restore peace between them, but it
was of daily occurrence and most trying. I sometimes
think we may return to live in Geneva and abandon
America altogether. I, personally, would be delighted,
but I fear we are not rich enough to do this. I must
make some money; I cannot always be a drag on father.

APRIL 1

There is a smell of spring in the air to-day. Frances
tried to fool me to-day, sending me a letter challenging

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1821] DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN

me to a duel. I recognized her handwriting at once.
I did not say a word about it. She has been worrying
mamma for a long time to buy her a spencer at Madame
Le Vestris' in the Rue de la Paix; I have heard of
nothing else for weeks. So off to Madame L. I went.
Made her do me up a box with large gold letters with
her address on it. I bought a murderous-looking fish
and wrapped it in many papers. Imitating mamma's
handwriting, I put a little note on top of the silk paper
that she would see the moment the cover was lifted.
I timed the box to arrive while we were at dinner. Great
success. Frances opened the box. Only seeing the note,
she rushed and hugged mamma, who I must say looked
rather astonished. Rushing back to unpack her coveted
spencer, as she thought, the smell of fish met her nose.
With a squeak (women always squeak) she seized the
fish and made a dash for me, but was too late. I was
out of the window into the garden, the fish after me.
A long list of diplomatic dinners to be got through. We
are engaged for every day for two weeks. Father hates
all this but is forced to accept. Mamma now, I think,
loves these entertainments. She, like all women, loves
dress. This gives her an opportunity to show off her
finery.

APRIL 6

There were serious disturbances last evening at the
Ecole de Droit de Paris; some rioting. The troops
had to be called out. What a mistake it is to be dragged
into a liaison, particularly with a married woman I If
something does not happen I shall not have a hair on
my head.

APRIL 9

Since the death of the Due de Berri a great change has
certainly come over the jeuneaae dorSe of Paris; not
half so much entrain. I think he really gave the impetus

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DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN [1821

to us all. I dined yesterday at the Trois Frferes Proven-
ceaux^in the Palais Royal with some boon companions.
I do not know how it was, the dinner was excellent, the
wine as well, but we all seemed dull and depressed. I
hardly dare own it, but I fear we are all blas€. I com-
menced a little too young to enjoy life. I have had a
good seven years of it; and what I used to look on then
as the height of enjoyment I now find tiresome. I try
to take interest in the political questions of the day.
I read most carefully all the English as well as American
papers that we receive and try to keep myself au caurant
of everything of importance. I believe one can train
one's mind to serious matters. I certainly have wasted
a lot of time.

APRIL 10

Have been taking Frances to see all the fine churches;

I don't think she cares much about it.

APBIL 12

Father has presented me with a new curricle; it is

painted yellow, which is much the vogue at present. . • •

APBIL 15

We are eating through our dinners. Oh, the bore of it

all!

APBIL 90

A fine entertainment at Versailles with some Russian
Grand Dukes. The King was not able to be present
and Monsieur did the honours. The fountains were all
playing. A splendid banquet. Looking out of one of
the windows looking on the Cours d'Honneur, the whole
scene seemed to be conjured up before me: the dames
de la haUe more like wild beasts, then women shouting
and screaming, then dragging the coach with the unfor-
* A restaurant only recently demolished.
183

1821] DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN

tunate King and Queen in it. As I was meditating on
all this I felt a hand on my shoulder; it was the dear
old Duke of Gordon. He said, "A penny for your
thoughts.'' I blurted out exactly what had been passing
through my mind. He then^ really with much emotion^
described the whole scene most vividly to me; pointed
out exactly where he stood, the immense scorn and
dignity of Marie Antoinette as she entered the coach,
the horrible drive back to Paris. He said he did all he
could, but he was absolutely powerless in the hands of
the frenzied mob. He slipped his arm through mine
saying, "It is better to try and bury unpleasant
memories." We joined the Court in the Salle des Glaces.

APRIL 21

Father took me to-day to see Madame Condorcet, the
widow of the Marquis Condorcet, the friend of Voltaire.
She is only fifty-three but looks much older — one of the
saddest faces I have ever seen. She welcomed us with
effusion, taking both father's hands, holding them, and
saying, "You knew my husband." She was a Mile
de Grouchy. It seems they were an ideal couple. Her
perfect character made Condorcet a believer in equal
rights for women. Her only child b Madame O'Connor,
the wife of General O'Connor.

MAYS

Mr. Adams has been playing more of what I call "Yankee
tricks"; he certainly is an impossible person. He is
not a man of great force or intelligence, but his own
opinion of himself is immense. I really think father,
in a covert way, pulls his leg. I know he thinks little
of his talents and less of his manners.

MAY 21

Frances is greatly excited as the time approaches for her
to make her d6but at Court. She came to me in rather

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DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN [1821

a mysterious manner to-day and began to make much
of me. I suspected there was something at the bottom
of it, so said to her, "Out with it; what is it you want?"
She is a little afraid of mamma. She wants me to
persuade the latter to let her have a more elegant frock
for Court. I pronused to do my best.

MAY 22

Mamma is adamant. Frances is to wear what she
decrees. Simplicity above all things. For a wonder,
I quite agree with mamma. Frances is quite pretty
enough and she needs but a very simple setting. I told
her this and consoled her with a little judicious flattery
about her skin, eyes, hair, &c. &c. She is but a woman.

MAY 24

The brothers Humboldt were at dSjeuner to-day. For-
merly I did not take any interest in their conversation,
but it was quite different to-day. I was sorry when
they retired. Father delights in their society. They
certainly seem to appreciate him; for this I love them.

JUNE 2

Frances made her d€but at Court last night. She cer-
tainly did look very lovely. All I know of her dress —
she was in white, a great big wreath of pink roses round
her head. She was quite self-possessed and bore herself
with much dignity. All the members of the Royal Family
smiled on her. Driving home she burst into sobs. Poor
child, I suppose it was the pent-up excitement.

JUNE 10

I have suffered a great deal lately with my arm; I fear
it will be permanently stiflP — I can hardly raise it now.
I hope father will decide on Aix-en-Savoi, as I will then
be able to go in for the cure. I am afraid rheumatism
has settled in my arm.

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1821] DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN

JUNE 15

So little of interest to record in my journal at present.
I seem now to think that the everyday occurrences of
"the monde" are not worth recording. Of course^
anything of importance that I want to remember I
make notes of. If father should ever get hold of this
diary I wonder what he will think of it. Mamma asked
me to-day if I thought he was worrying about Albert.
She does not think he at all approves of the life the latter
is leading. He does not seem to care for people of his
own class — only farmers and their families.

JUNE 80

There have been rumours that the Emperor is ill at

St. Helena. Nothing confirmed.

JULY 10

The news has just arrived of the death of Napoleon.
He died on May 5. I was much astonished at the way
the news was received. The hero which the whole
French nation had worshipped, whom all Europe had
trembled before, it might have been an ordinary actor
who had died. Really one could feel great disgust.
A mighty man indeed he was with all his faults. The
first I heard of it was cried about the streets: "La
Mort de Napol6on i St. Helena, deux sous." Oh, the
irony of it I

JULY 15

The Bonapartists here show the greatest respect to the
Emperor. They have petitioned the King to allow the
body to be brought to France and buried, but he will
not hear of it. Father says it would be most unwise —
that France is beginning to settle down after all the
troubles she has gone through; that even the Emperor's
body will excite enthusiasm in many and might lead
to very serious results. Father received several letters

186

DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN [1821

asking if he thought America would join in petitioning
the King. It is really too absurd. What has America
to do with it? Madame Patterson Bonaparte, won-
derful to relate, has written to father full of praise of
the dead Emperor.

JULY 18

An extraordinary thing has happened. Father wished
for a document, and applied for it to the Due de Bassano;
the latter has all the copies of the archives of the Emperor.
A document was sent, but not the one applied for; it
was a copy of a Trianon Decree of August 5, 1810. This
decree was entirely withheld from the American Minister.
Had it been known there would not have been any war
between England and America. It bears the same date
of the Berlin and Milan decrees, which were to be revoked
on November 1. Never before have I seen my father
so angry; he absolutely lost control of himself and used
the strongest language. The underhand meanness, the
perfidy, injustice, so low and despicable. It was the
Emperor's wish, evidently, to do all in his power to
crush a young and rising nation. Father went at once
to see the Due de Bassano, but on arriving there he
could hardly say anything, he found the poor old Duke
utterly crushed by the death of the Emperor. He
evidently knew nothing of his mistake, so father did not
undeceive him. He sent a copy of the decree to Mr.
Adams with very strong remarks on the subject,

GALLATIN to J. Q. ADAMS

Pabib, September 15, 1821
SlB,

[First part of letter omitted.]

But the Trianon Decree was intended for the

St. Sebastian, Amsterdam, and other cases of the same

period. It is not a condemnation either in form or in

substance, but it certainly announces the intention to

187

1821] DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN

condemn. It bears date the same day on which it was
officially communicated to our Minister that the Berlin
and Milan decrees would be revoked on the first day of
the ensuing November; and no one can suppose that
if it had been communicated or published at the same
time the United States would, with respect to the promised
revocation of the Berlin and Milan decrees, have taken
that ground which ultimately led to the war with Great
Britain. It is indeed unnecessary to comment on such
a glaring act of combined injustice, bad faith, and mean-
ness as the enacting and concealment of that decree
exhibits; and I cannot suppose that it will ever be
brought forward by this Government for the purpose
of repelling our claims to indemnity, especially as the
grounds assumed for the measure are evidently mere
pretences and altogether untenable. Yet when I first
conversed, in 1816, with the Due de Richelieu on the
subject of our claims, he alluded to a statement prepared
in his bureau for him, in which the Act of Congress of
March 1809 was mentioned as having afforded cause for
reprisals.

The copy of the Trianon Decree was given to a friend
of Mr. Parish by the Duke of Bassano, then Secretary
of the Council.

I enclose a Greek copy and a French translation of an
appeal of the Greeks to the citizens of the United States.
I have the honour, &c.,

Albert Gallatin

Decision du 5 aout 1810*

Vu le rapport cv-dessus fait au conaeil de commerce
et dee manufacturee, d'oil U rSetdte:

(1) Que le Gouvememerd de Etate^Unis ne 8*est pae

bomS par eon acte du \er mare, 1809, h ordonner gti'd

daier du 20 mui suivard lee bdtimerUe et marchandieee

frangaieee qui ervtreraierd dans lee ports seraient mis

* For translation see Appendix IIL

188

DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN [1821

sous le siquestre, maia qu'il a ordonni la confiacation des
dits bdtimerUa et marchandises:

(2) Qu'il a Habli par le mime ode que lorsque lee comr-
municatione avec le France tiendraiefU h ee ritablir, lee
confiacatione continueraierU h avoir leur effet:

(3) Que Vade du ler mare, 1809, a 6U mie en exicution
Unitee lee foie que Voccaeion e'en eet pr6eenUe, noneeule"
meni contre lee marchandieee, maie aueei conire lee hdiir
menle frangaie:

Noue avone ordonni et ordonnone ce qui euii

(1) Lee fonde provenanta dee vetUee dee marchandieee
amSricainee qui oni Hi effectviee juequ'h ce jour, et dont
le montarU avaU 6U mie en d6p6t H la caieee d'amortieee'
meni, eeronJt traneport6e au trieor public.

(2) Lee marchandieee amSricainee qui eont mie eoua
le eiqueeire eeront miete en verUe, et lee fonde en provenarUe
terete au trSeor public,

(3) Lee h&timerde amiricaine eur le eoii deequele U
n'avait point StS etatui juequ'h ce jour, eeront Sgalement
mie en vente et lee fonde en provenarUe vereie au tr6eor
public.

(4) Attendu que Vacte dee Etaie-Unie du ler mare,
1809, ne contient aucune diepoeition conire lee Squipagee
de noe h&timerde, voulant toujour e trailer lee Etate-Unie
aueei favorablement qu'il eet poeeible, et n'ueani qu'h
regret du droit de reprSeaille h leur Sgard, nous entendone
que lee iquipagee dee h&timerde amiricaine erdrte dane
noe porta ne eoierd point coneidSrta comme prieonniere,
maie eoierd envoySa dane leur patrie.

(5) Lee diapoaitiona ci-deaaua eeront executiee & l'6gard
de toue lee h&timerde amiricaine erdria et aiqueetrSe dane
noe porta depuie le 20 mare 1809, juequ'au ler mai de la
priaerde annSe 1810, date de Vade par lequel lee Etate^'
Unie oni revoquS celui du ler mare, 1809.

(6) A I'avenir et juequ'au ler novembre prochain,
ipoque Jixie par la lettre de notre minietre dee relatione

189

18211 DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN

extSrieures au plenipotentiaire des Etals-Unis pour la
rSvocaiion de nos dScreis de Berlin et de Milan {dans
le caa oil lea condUions Uablies dans la dite lettre seraieni
remplies), les navires anUricains pourront entrer dans
nos ports; mais leur dSchargement ne pourra avoir lieu,
h moins qu'ils ne soieni munis d^une licence signSe de
noire main, que sur un rapport faii en conseil de cont"
merce, constaiant qu'Hs n^ont pas H6 dinaiionalis6s par
leur soumission aux arrSts du conseil Briianniqus, et
quails n^ofU point contrevenu h nos dScrets de Berlin et
de Milan.
En notre palaia de Trianon, le 5 aoiU, 1810^

(SignS) Napoleon
JULY

Madame R6camier has closed her sdUm for the present.
Most of the adherents of the Bonapartists are in the
deepest mourning. Surely it is the least they cap do,
considering the Emperor picked most of them out of
the mud and made them rich and noble. Joseph Bona-
parte seems to have saved an immense fortune; he is
living in luxury in America. Some of those wretched
Murats are also there.

JULY

As Frances has been presented at Court, mamma now
takes her to balls, &c. It is very trying for her. I am
glad to say Frances is far prettier than I thought she
would be, and I am very proud to have such a pretty
sister. I do hope she will make a good marriage and
not have to go back to America. We have to go to
some waters for mamma's rheumatism. I think Aix-en-
Savoi will be the place decided on. The baths are good
but primitive. It is near Geneva. Also we have
relations in the neighbourhood.

AUGUST 1: AIX-EN^AVOI

We are comfortably installed here in a little villa they
supply us with. Both mamma and myself are taking a cure

190

DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN [1821

for rheumatism. Father only remained a few days to
see us settled and then went to Geneva; it is so close.
He is staying with the Navilles. This is a beautiful
country but very hot. The Lac du Bourget b about a
mile from here. I have hired a boat and take Frances
out fishing with me. It is such a rest after Paris. We
have some friends from Geneva; the de Sellons from
AUaman are also here. The Monastery of Hautecombe
is on the other side of the lake. It is the burial-place
of the Dukes of Savoy and their families; and they
also used to live in a part of the monastery. There is a
long terrace on it about ten to twenty feet above the
lake. The story is that the ladies of the House of Savoy
used to fish from this terrace, that there were men in
boats below who placed live fish on their hooks and
then gave a little jerk — much to the delight of the ladies,
who thought they were fine fisherwomen. My arm is
much better; I can raise it quite high already. Very
much troubled by flies, which sting. The grapes are
ripe, and we pay fifty centimes to go into a vineyard
and eat as many as we like.

OCTOBER

Aix did mamma good, and now we are installed for the
winter. Father fears there will be poor results re Indem-
nity from France. He says the Ministry play with him
and are continually changing their tactics. He really
thinks he ought to return to America and enter into
more active life.^ He likes his life here; it all suits him,
but he feels he is wasting time. He is continually being
urged to enter public life again in America; he will
not, I think. The whole system of political life in
America has undergone a change, and he feels it will be
most distasteful to him.

NOVEMBER 10

Poor Albertine de Broglie is in great trouble as she has
lost her baby — fortunately, the youngest one. I have

191

1821] DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN

to relieve mamma^ taking Frances to balls^ &c. Madame
S. returns to-day.

NOVEMBER 12

Ball at the Palais Royale. Frances looked lovely and
was very much admired; she danced every dance. I
love to see her enjoying herself. Of course, Madame
de Boigne had to say something disagreeable to mamma.
Looking at Frances, who was dancing with La Roche-
foucauld, she said, " I see you have brought your daughter
up & rAnglaiae." "No, h V Amiricaine," said mamma,
with a strong stare at the opposite wall. Bravo, mamma !
I told father when we arrived home; he laughed, which
is rare for him. Frances says she will not marry any
man who does not propose to her personally and not to
her parents. She says she is not an object of barter.
I consider her a most advanced young woman. A serious
row with Madame S. May it be the end, but I doubt it.

NOVEMBER 26

Father has been much vexed by some letters from Mr.
Adams, who is now Secretary of State. It is all on
account of the seizure of a French ship called the ApoUon
in the St. Mary's River on the Spanish side, for evading
the navigation laws. Father thinks it is a high-handed
action and unjustifiable. He has taken his own line
with the French Government in entire opposition to
Mr. Adams. What amazed Mr. Adams was that father
wrote to him that he considered his argument of the
case, as well as his own, not worth a straw. At times
he certainly is an extraordinary contradiction. Un-
doubtedly father has far superior talent to Mr. Adams,
and likes playing the latter as a cat does a mouse.
Father, although he never admits it, I am certain feels
very deeply the gross injustice and prejudice that shuts
the door of the Presidency to him simply because he
was not bom in America. Although he tries to disguise

192

DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN [18*2

it, he has a strong belief in the superiority of European
intellect. He looks upon the American-bom politicians
as a lot of rough colts who want breaking in. Not one
of them has had the early training that he has — brought
up, as he was, among the flower of intellectual men. The
Americans have great intellect and brains but they are
untrained. What can be expected of them ?

DECEMBER 25

Christmas again. We are having a large party for
Frances. Already three fathers have appeared in orthodox
costume to formally demand her hand for their respective
sons. She will have none of them. The Duchesse de
Broglie has pressed one suit, but Frances is obstinate.
I tell her she must not be too particular.

DECEMBER 26

Everything went off very well. Now that Frances has
grown up we have put aside fooling, but really it is not
half as amusing. Our cousins the Gallatins are giving
a Twelfth-Night party for Frances.

DECEMBER 81

I have been counting up my money for my (trennes
to-morrow. I will have exactly 150 left after all the
servants are tipped. It is a bad custom. Mamma
always has a nest-egg, so I will have to draw on her.
Good-bye, Old Year. Off to an old-fashioned riveiUon.
Dear old diary I Much as I have confidence in your
discretion, I will not record where I am going or who my
companions are to be.

JANUARY 1, 18««

We are quite worn out with all the duties we have had to
perform. The long time we are kept standing at Court
is most trying. The King paid marked attention to
father yesterday, so did Monsieur. The Duchesse d'An-

108

1822] DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN

goul6me, who on many occasions has noticed Frances,
asked if it was true that she was fiancie.
To-night a ball at the Palais Royale.
Monsieur de Richelieu looks very ill. He is still pur-
sued by the Queen of Sweden, it is really too absurd;
she makes him as well as herself the laughing-stock of
Paris. We are bidden to a reception at Madame R6-
camier's for the 10th. Madame Bonaparte arrives in a
few days.

JANUARY 11

A delightful evening at Madame RScamier's. The
funniest sight was the Queen of Sweden; she was dressed
in a most extraordinary manner — I never saw a person so
absolutely out of place; she looks more fit to be behind
the counter of a tallow-chandler's than in a salon. We
have had some very nice Americans here lately. A Mr.
Ogle-Taylor and Mr. Livingstone, both men of education
and polished manners; the latter was very anxious for
me to go to Italy with him^ but I could not be spared.

JANUARY 1«

Madame Bonaparte dined with us yesterday, she is
really more brilliant than ever, a little embittered perhaps,
particularly against the Catons, they are her hite noire
for the moment. Her sister-in-law, Mrs. Robert Patterson,
nie Caton, came in for her full share. It seems that the
Duke of Wellington writes to her every week, and there
is much scandal about their relationship.
Father has told Madame Bonaparte there will always be
a convert for her at our table. We were all rather
astonished at this, for he does not often show such marked
hospitality, particularly to Americans. He feels very
sorry for her, and thinks she has been badly treated;
that she is a woman of brilliant intellect, but that her
troubles have quite ruined what might have been a most
delightful personage, as well as a power.

DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN [1822

JANUARY 18

Fine skating in the Bois de Boulogne to-day. I took
Frances; she got on wonderfully well as she had learned
to skate in America when she was a child. She looked
very lovely, mamma dresses her so well. With the exer-
cise of skating she had the most brilliant colour in her
cheeks. One horrible old woman went up to her and
rubbed her cheeks with her pocket-handkerchief, saying,
''Tiena, ce n'est pas du rouge." I think some of the
French ladies were shocked that mamma was not with us.
Princesse Galitzin had kindly offered to chaperone Frances.
It is really too absurd that now she is grown up she is
not allowed to drive alone with me; it is not that either
mamma or father object, but it would be considered
quite wrong, the argument being that everybody did
not know that I was her brother. In fact, I cannot walk
with her alone, without one of our footmen following.
A very fine ball at the Carillion-Latours. I very much
pitied poor mamma, she had to sit waiting for Frances
until the early hours of the morning.

JANUARY U

The King has been failing very fast; they say for the
moment he is very much better. A ball at Court on the
16th. In fact, I do not think there is a single night that we
are not engaged till Lent. Madame Bonaparte takes
great interest in Frances, and says with her beauty she
ought to make a great marriage. I fear the latter has
but little ambition.

JANUARY 15

Mr. Crawford is urging father to return to America, as he
wants him to use his influence for the vote of the State
of Pennsylvania for the Presidency. Father has not the
slightest intention of doing so, and does not think Craw-
ford has the slightest chance. The President wishes
father to remain in Parisi and he willingly agrees to this.

Ids

182«] DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN

In fact, I think he wants to hold himself aloof from
polities in America. He often talks of building a fine
house in New Geneva; he already has a small brick one
there. I cannot understand this new idea of his: to wish
to bury himself in the wilds of Western Virginia; to take
poor mamma there after the life she has led in Paris. She
detests the country; of course we never disagree with
him or contradict anything he says. I think it may be
sentiment. He pictures New Geneva as a new Eldorado.
Of course Frances will marry. So will L He cannot ex-
pect me to live in idleness in the backwoods of America.
Practically he and mamma are to be quite alone. Albert
may stop with them, but I doubt it. I had an odd letter
from him yesterday. He evidently is in some entangle-
ment with a farmer's daughter; he begs me not to mention
it to anybody. It is so strange that he always liked low
company. It is a great pity, I think, that father did not
send him to Geneva to be educated. The people he
mixes with are of the lowest class, totally without educa-
tion or manners. I cannot understand where he inherits
his low tastes from, certainly not from father's family;
nor have I ever heard of a Nicholson who was not a gentle-
man. Albert has a brain, in fact in his way is very clever.
I fear now it's too late to make any change in him.

JANUARY 16

I took Madame de R. into supper last night at the Russian
Embassy. She is very witty and does not hesitate to
express her opinion in the most clear terms h mauvaise
langue. I am rather afraid of her. During our con-
versation I asked her if she knew the reason why Madame
X. had such success: the very best people fighting for
invitations to her entertainments, although she had
neither beauty nor wit, was really dull and vulgar.
"There you are wrong," she answered. "She has much
more than wit or beauty, tact. When I dine or sup with
her, she puts my reigning amarU on my right and the one

196

DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN [18fW

I hope to succeed him on my left. What does a woman
want more? Now do you wonder at her success?"

FRIDAY

Mrs. Robert Patterson dined with us on Thursday; she is
really beautiful and has a wonderful charm of manner.
Her one topic of conversation is the Duke of Wellington.
They say he allows her 100,000 francs a year; at least
so says Madame Bonaparte. Her jewels are very fine.
Madame B. says they are mostly imitation, but I think
it is a case of sour grapes.

JANUARY 18

Father has refused the office of President of the Bank of
the United States, which was kindly oflFered to him.
He has the fixed idea in his head to lead an absolutely
retired life when he returns to America. I can hardly
credit it and think it is but a passing fancy. Monsieur
de Lafayette, Pozzo di Borgo, all beg him to remain in
Paris.

JANUARY 20

I took Frances to a ball at the Gay de Lussacs' last night,
mamma was not well. She had written to the Comtesse
de Gallatin if she would chaperone Frances. On our
arrival I could not find any of the Gallatin family, and
really did not know what to do — at 12 o'clock the
Countess appeared. It seems that they had a bad
accident, one of the horses having fallen, dragging the
other one with it and overturning the coach; one of her
daughters was badly cut on the neck and face. She made
all haste, after her daughter had been attended to, to come
to the ball, on account of Frances — ^it was most kind of her.
I would not allow her to stop late as I know she must be
anxious to get home, so we retired at 1 o'clock.

lOT

1822] DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN

JANUARY 21

Skating all day; it is an exercise I love. Had a bad fall
with Katinka Galitzin, and am sorry to say that the blade
of my skate tore her coat and cut her arm. After her
mother had bound it up, she insisted on returning to the
ice and skated until dark. If the frost holds we are
going to have a grand file de nuit on the ice in a couple of
days; the Due and Duchesse d'0rl6ans have promised
to be present; a qvUe will be made for charity.

JANUARY 22

Louise, of kitten fame, gave birth to a fine boy yesterday.
I am the parrain and Frances the marraine. Mamma
does not approve but father does. Of course we asked
him first and mamma never goes against his will.

JANUARY 24, 1822

The frost held; in fact it is freezing still. The fHe ds
nuU was a grand success. It was beautifully arranged
on the Petit Lac. Wreaths and wreaths of lanterns
made it quite light enough to see everything and every-
body. Sledges in every shape and form hung with
lanterns. Some with most grotesque heads. The Due
and Duchesse d'0rl6ans and the Due de Chartres arrived
at 9 o'clock. They were conducted to a raised plat-
form on which was a species of divan covered with fine
fur rugs. All fashionable Paris was there as it was a
novelty. I was on the committee of arrangement. We
had hired some Swedish skaters to give a performance in
costume, which they did at 10.30. We had a retraiieawc
lantemes, over six hundred joined in it; everybody had a
stick with a Chinese lantern on it. Some of the men had
poles of wood about two feet from each shoulder with
lanterns on each end. There were fifty men two by two
holding bentwood frames with lanthorns, two fine mili-
tary bands played, and, for the retraite, we had the Corps
de Chasse from Compiegne and Fontainebleau. The

198

DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN [16^

royalties retired at 11.30. A most successful fgte.
The proceeds collected amounted to about 7000 francs.
I forgot to mention we had coloured fires burning at
intervals: red, green and yellow. All the way from the
Petit Lac, at an interval of four feet apart, were stationed
soldiers holding blazing torches to light the way, this
extended as far as the Champs Elys^s.

JANUARY 25

I was so tired this morning, and stiff from skating. Father
had some writing for me to do. I took it over to a table
in a window in his room. I made a brave start but I
suppose I was overcome with fatigue and the warmth
of the room combined. I was awakened by the sound of
the gong for dSjeuner. I found a cushion had been
placed under my head. Father stood by me smiling,
and said, "I hope you had a good sleep, my petit vaurien.*'
I made every excuse, but he only laughingly said, " Come
to breakfast, and finish your writing this afternoon."

JANUARY 27

Mamma called me into her boudoir this morning; she
said she wished to have a serious conversation with me.
She began by asking why I had not written to my aunt,
Mrs. Montgomery, in America; that I had neglected her
terribly, &c. &c. Now as I had never written to this
respected lady in my life, I was at a loss for an answer.
By degrees it all came out. It seems that Mrs. Montgom-
ery is rich, has no heir; mamma thought I might stand
a chance. I at once consented to do so. I wrote a letter
in a burlesque style. Knowing Mrs. M. to be a violent
republican, I abused and ridiculed everything that had
to do with a republic; that I hoped Americans would
come to their senses and have a king; that I hoped
that I never would be obliged to return to the land of
the free. I showed the letter to mamma. After reading
it she stamped her foot, a bad sign, and threw the letter

199

18««I DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN

I had taken so much pains with into the fire. I don't
think she will ever ask me to write another. I hate
humbug and don't want anybody's money.

JANUARY 29

Madame Patterson Bonaparte dined with us yesterday, as
well as her sister, Mrs. Robert Patterson. Mathieu de la
Rochefoucauld, the Alfieris and several others. Madame
B. was as usual brilliant, and kept the whole table alive
with her witticisms. Pozzo di Borgo, who was also one of
the guests, said, " Really, Madame Bonaparte, you should
have been a man: you would have been a diplomatist."

FEBRUARY 1

Very serious trouble I fear is brewing for me with Madame

S. If this diary falls into the hands of any young man

beginning his career, may I warn him never to have an

intrigue with a married woman.

OfiF to Fontainebleau to hunt to-morrow.

FEBRUARY 8

We had a poor day, as it had frozen hard in the night.

I stuck one pig, quite a youngster, who squealed like a

baby. A very large party. The usual "cur6e." Nothing

very much to record. I had to leave early this morning,

as I knew there would be business for me to attend to for

father.

FEBRUARY 5

The King is now entirely in the power of Madame du
Cayla;* he does nothing without asking her advice. There
has been a great deal of intriguing about the post of
Archbishop of Paris. Monsieur du Quellon, I believe,
will be appointed, he is very young for such a post.

* Zo§ Talon, Comteese du Cayla, bom 17S4, died 1850, daughter of
a secret agent employed before the Restoration. Mistress of Louis
XVIII, whom she dominated.

200

ALBERT GALLATIN
Painted by Madame Mkunieb-Romilly, Geneva. Jancabt, 1815

DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN [1822

FEBRUABY 7

Mr. Astor has been pressing father to accept the Presi-*
dency of the United States Bank, but he will not hear of it.
He had rather a disagreeable experience to-day. Some
most extraordinary Americans called. The rule is for
them simply to write their names and addresses, but they
insisted upon seeing father. He received them with
great civility, but the moment they commenced to speak
I gauged what sort of people they were. They did not
request father to present them at Court, but absolutely
demanded it as a right. Now he has made it a rule not
to present anybody unless they hold some distinguished
position in their own country. These people were abso-
lutely impossible. Father quietly but firmly said, "I
regret not being able to present you." They demanded
the reason why in the most insolent manner. Father
rang the bell, and when the footman appeared simply
said, "Show these gentlemen to the door." They
commenced to use the most disgraceful language. I
with the help of Mr. Sheldon insisted upon their leaving.
Father with a bow left the room by another door. It is
really dreadful he should be subjected to such indignity.
He has now given an order that in future nobody is to be
ushered into his presence without first being interviewed
by Mr. Sheldon or myself.

FEBRUARY 12

There seem to be internal troubles all over France. Mon-
sieur is suspected of starting the agitation. They say
the Due d'0rl6ans is also stirring up discontent.
I do not even intend looking at the Carnival this year,
much less taking part in it. I suppose I have sown about
one-half or, say, three-quarters of my wild oats. I am
glad that father and I are on the best of terms, and I am
quite convinced we always will be. Madame Bonaparte
dines here continually; she is certainly a most delightful
and entertaining person. I rarely hear her say an ill-

201

1822] DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN

word of anybody, with the exception of the Catons and
of her husband; she certainly has reason in that quarter
after the treatment she has received at his hands.

FEBRUABY 13

Father had a private audience of the King to-day. I
accompanied him as I always do. To our amazement
when we were ushered into the presence, Madame du
Cayla was present and did not retire; she seems to hold
absolute sway over him. He actually appealed to her
for her opinion on matters political which she certainly
had no knowledge of.

Driving home father expressed his disgust, and said
it was high time he abdicated if he was governed by a
woman. It has always been the same thing with the
Bourbons; in their old age some intriguing woman has
governed them.

Very cold: if the frost holds we will have skating to-
morrow.

FEBRUARY 15

I have been skating the last two days on the Petit Lac. • • •

FEBRUARY 17

Katinka Galitzin was married to-day to Caumont la
Force. The contract for the marriage was signed last
night. A great crush, splendid corbeiUe de manage.
The family jewels, which are those of the Due de la Force,
magnificent. There were two ceremonies, a Russian
one in the Chapel of the Embassy, and the Catholic one
at St. Pierre de Challiot. I was present at both. I will
miss her very much as we were really such good friends.
I will always have a soft spot in my heart for her.

FEBRUARY 20

There are extraordinary accounts, about his Most
Gracious Majesty King George the Fourth, from England,

202

DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN [1822

all the scandal about Queen Caroline, it is certainly very
disgraceful. He moves under the absolute sway of Lady
Conyngham. I was weak enough last night to allow myself
to be dragged off to a supper. I am glad to say I was
bored and returned home early. I think father was rather
shocked when he was told that Pozzo di Borgo was on the
Committee of " Crockfords," but Russians are all born
gamblers. It seems that immense fortunes change hands
nightly at this establishment, which is in St. James's
Street, opposite Mr. White's. The man who started it
has already realized a large fortune. Some of the heavy
gamblers wear large straw hats, pulled well over their
eyes: this is to conceal their features so that no one can see
their expression when they are winning or losing. Thank
God, I have not the slightest temptation to gamble —
about my one and only virtue. Here in Paris play is not
so very high, and is not indulged in by the higher classes
to any very great extent. Lent is here, which means
quiet and plenty of leisure. I am now studying banking
systems, both English, American and French. The Alex-
ander Barings come to us to-morrow for a week. They
are both so charming. It is a great pleasure for mamma
to have Mrs. Baring as she is an American and so sympa-
thetic. He and father are always engaged in financial
questions in which they are both absorbed.

MAY 18*

The Due de Richelieu has been looking very ill, he
died suddenly yesterday. He had come from Versailles
to Paris the day before. His sister was with him.
Several doctors were called in, but without avail. He
died gently in his sleep. Father is much distressed as
he had the highest opinion of him, of his wonderful
honesty, and of his devotion to France.

*From February 20 until May 18 the diary has been destroyed.
*-£ditob.

SOS

18221 DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN

MAY 25

The Queen of Sweden is making herself quite ridiculous.
The Due only spoke to her twice in his life. She has
even been to the King with her lamentations.

MAY 80

The Due d'Angoul6me is the only member of the Royal
Family who seems to show any regret. It is disgusting,
as he gave his life to his country.

I have had my own troubles lately — result, a boy which
father in his large-minded manner has provided for.
Madame S. is to live in Switzerland, her husband has
repudiated her. Was there ever such a father as mine?
He has never mentioned the matter to me but, after he
had arranged everything, last night on retiring to my
room, I found a letter on my table. It was couched in
the kindest terms. He informed me he had settled
everything, and that the subject would never be men-
tioned by him, that mamma was in total ignorance of it.
God bless him I

The question of the navigation with the United States
has been discussed in the Chamber. Father is not quite
satisfied. Monsieur de Chateaubriand seems to ignore
everything. He has not even answered our notes lately;
it is really very exasperating. Nearly six years wasted.

JUNE 2

We have organized a new form of amusement; at least the
Gay de Lussacs promulgated the idea. We drive out to
St. Germain leaving Paris about 5 o'clock. A picnic din-
ner at the Pavilion Henri Quatre, then dancing, singing,
&c., until 10.30, then a drive home by moonlight. Several
of Frances' friends. Mamma took two very nice American
girls. Misses Thorne, the Gallatins, and their daughters.
The English Ambassadress brought four very nice Eng-
lish girls, about ten married couples going and a host of
men. It was a great success and we have agreed to

204

DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN (182i^

repeat it every week. Each pays his own share. I
feel now as free as the air, since I have got rid of Madame
S.: it may be ingratitude, but I always feel so ashamed
of myself. I believe most of the French mammas
refused at first to join the St. Germain parties, but I
believe before long we will have many more joining
us. My miniature is very good and I have given it
to mamma.

JUNE 8

Just after dSjeuner to-day we heard a great noise in the
servants' quarters. As it continued mamma rang and
Monsieur Caron the maitre d'hStel appeared, crimson in
face. He begged that I would be allowed to come down
and see what had happened: the spectacle that met my
eyes when I reached the kitchen is indescribable. Poor
Mamie Kitty, the nigger cook, had made some waffles
for dSjeuner; one of the footmen, out of sheer mischief,
had taken the remainder of the paste, and with the aid of
two of the kitchen wenches, who had held Mamie, they
had smeared her head and face with the white hominy
paste and had sprinkled flour over it, turning her into a
white woman. She lost her temper and when she was free
made a dash for him and literally had torn his clothes
oflF. There he was, clothed as he came into the world,
standing behind a large table, while Mamie was trying
to belabour him with a rolling-pin. The moment I spoke
to her she dropped the pin and went on her knees and
began saying, "Oh Jesus forgive a poor nigger." If it
had not been so pathetic I would have laughed. It
seemed to sober all the servants who were assembled.
I told her to get up, and taking her by the hand took her
straight upstairs to mamma. The poor old dear was
trembling and wailing. Mamma made her tell her story:
although she did not at all approve she told Mamie
that it was only meant in fun. Frances took her up to

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her maid to be cleansed; the poor old soul sat moaning
all the rest of the day. Father will interview all those
who took part to-morrow and will see that the delinquents
are punished. I felt so sorry for her as she kept repeating,
''I am only a poor old nigger and God made me black.
I am a miserable old sinner."

JUNE 4

Much to our surprise Monsieur and Madame d'Osmond
have bidden us to dinner for the 10th. Mamma is quite
flurried, as she says she has worn all her frocks out and
she has no time to have one arranged. Father gave her
five hundred francs and said, " Get yourself and Frances the
finest 'war paint' that that can purchase." The young
footman was very contrite and begged not to be dismissed.
Father told him he must apologize to Mamie Kitty and
beg her pardon before all the servants, and that he would
be present — the footman, George by name, did so, and the
poor old woman threw her arms around his neck and
gave him two ringing kisses: I think he was sufficiently
punished.

JUNE 5

At the opera last night I spied a charming and mysterious-
looking lady in a frilled peignoir. Every time I looked
at her she put up her fan, but I saw her peeping between
the sticks. I waited at the finish close to the exit of her
loge; she made the slightest sign to me, the very slightest,
for me to follow her. In the crowd I saw her put her hand
behind her back. I edged near to her and saw there was
a piece of paper in it; watched my opportunity, and
covering her hand took it. As soon as I got the chance
I opened the little three-cornered note, only a few
lines — "28 rue Boissy d* Anglos — minuit demain.*' I am
sorely puzzled — I thought I knew totUes ces dames
by sight. A splendid footman met her and put her
into a fine coach — h demain, but I am intrigued.

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DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN [18«i^

JUNE 5

I had a batch of letters to copy this morning which kept
me very busy. Mr. Crawford is still writing to father
begging him to come home, on account of the elections:
the latter says if he does so he will be again drawn into
political life, which is undesirable. I am thinking of
to-night and wondering. I met some of my intimes
this afternoon, but thought it wiser not to mention my
adventure to them. I am dining at the Caf6 Anglais
with Guy de Montesquieu and the lady he protects. Will
look in at the opera to while away the time till mid-
night.

JUNE 6

I am disgusted with myself. On the tiptoe of expectation
I arrived at No. 28. All was darkness. I waited for a
few moments, when the small door of the porie-cochire
opened and a hand beckoned me in. The moment the
door closed there was a brilliant light, two footmen in
the hall, and I saw several other cloaks and hats: the
mystery was soon solved, tovi bonnement — a gambling
house. I was ushered into a superb salon, the rattle
of dice assailed my ear and my charmer stepped forward
to greet me. I might have known, as the police are so
down on maisons de jeu at present. Not a soul I had
ever seen before: that struck me as quite extraordinary.
I must be getting old ! No more aveniures gcdantes
seem to come in my way. I did not play and soon retired,
evidently much to the disgust of my hostess.

JUNE 10

We have been very quiet for the last few days. To-day
is the dinner at the Osmonds\ Albertine de Broglie
came to dSjeuner to-day to eat American food. I do not
think she really cared for it, but was too polite to say so.
Albert has written that the house is getting on famously.
We certainly must be returning soon.

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JUNE 11

I must acknowledge the dinner at the Osmonds' was superb.
We were forty and the fine fijeur of society. Madame
de Boigne in her own house is an excellent hostess. I
escorted a very pretty woman to dinner — a Comtesse
Chabot: she had passed much of her life in England and
longed to go back there to live, which is rare for a
Frenchwoman. Lady Westmoreland, a handsome Lady
Fane, the English Ambassador, a son of the Countess of
Sutherland, whom I met at Coppet, I think it was in I8I5.
After dinner, which lasted three mortal hours, we retired
to the ball-room. There was a raised estrade, and
Malibran sang. I went rather late to the Spanish
Embassy. Father was too tired to go. A great crowd —
the "Nuncio" as usual.

JUNE 14

We had one of our jaunts to St. Cloud yesterday, a much

larger company and most enjoyable.

JUNE 15

Very hot, I sat at Tortoni's until supper-time eating ice-
creams, which I really think made me hotter.

JUNE 20

A catastrophe this morning: poor mamma sprained her
ankle and will not be able to move for at least a month.
Her feet are very small, and as she is short she wears very
high heels — not being quite as light as she was her ankles
easily turn. Countess de Gallatin called to-day. She
is getting up some little plays and wants to enlist Frances
and myself in her company. Father gave his permission
for Frances. I have never acted, but am going to see
what I can do. I am cast for a little play called "'Un
Mari en 1815." I am to be a soldier bold, six women in
the cast. I am the only man. Like a rooster in a
farmyard.

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DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN [1822

JUNE 22

Our first rehearsal to-day. I fear we all laughed so much
that little progress was made. I have to kiss two of the
girls — my daughters. This we did not rehearse.

JUNE 24

Second rehearsal to-day. It went much better as now
we have some idea of our rdles. There is no doubt
father intends going home soon. I will be glad in one
way, but very sorry to leave my beloved Paris. Puysfigur
and Montesquieu misbehaved so much to-day at rehearsal
that Madame de Gallatin threatened to get substitutes
for them — they both are very funny.

JUNE 25

A reception at the Palais Royal to-night and a Court
ball on the 29th. How sick I am of these entertainments.
We have a dinner-party to-morrow. Mamma has a
wheeled chair, so can be present. The invitations were
launched before her accident.

Mormomsen had six more kittens to-day, father un-
known. Glorious weather. I drove father for the first
time in my curricle to-day. He enjoyed it very much.
He and I dine at the English Embassy on Wednesday.
Mamma has begged to be excused.

JUNE 26

The reception at the Palais Royal was far more amusing
than I thought it would be: a great many English
friends that the Origans family had made in England. It
ended in a dance.

JUNE 28

Our dinner was a great success. It was for the Osmonds.
Father insisted that Monsieur de Lafayette should
be invited. He made himself most agreeable. The
Osmonds have always kept up their relations with him.

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JUNE 80

A very grand ball at the Tuilleries. I enjoyed it although

I was very fatigued, having rehearsed for four mortal

hours.

JULY«

A very long and stately dinner at the English Em-
bassy. Mr. and Mrs. Baring were of the guests. Nea-
politan singers in the garden, sang during dinner. Some-
times I feel I never want to dine out again. Why do
people want to meet together to eat?

JULY 4

Father received as usual all the Americans in Paris to-day,
all sorts and all kinds — a motley crew. Bufifet in the
garden. I will go to bed early.

JULY 6

Our last rehearsal to-night — some people are coming so as
to give us confidence. Very warm — Frances very excited.
Mamma is a little nervous about her acting when she
cannot be present. Father has promised to take her
not only to-night but to-morrow as well. I am afraid
he will be bored.

JULYS

All went off capitally. In the first play Frances looked
lovely and really acted so well. I saw father laughing.
I was indeed a warrior bold. My six young ladies were
one more charming than the other, unfortunately I was
made up as an old man — ^that seemed to put them
quite at their ease. Puys^gur drank too much
champagne and forgot every word of his r61e, but I don't
think the audience noticed it. We were all very merry:
the great drawback was the heat and the smell of the oil
lamps on the rampe.

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DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN [182*

JULY 10

Most people are leaving Paris now. Mamma's so much
better that she drives out to St. Cloud and St. Germain.
Hardly any entertaining. The Court is at St. Cloud.
The Duchesse d'Angoulfime loves it, but nothing will induce
her to go to Versailles. I am not surprised — the memories
would be terrible for her. The King is worse. Madame
du Cayla absolutely rules him with a rod of iron. Albert
has had measles, but is well again. My aunt Few went
and fetched him to her home in Baltimore and nursed him.
Mamma is still a little anxious about him. It takes so
long to get an answer to a letter.

JULY 14

Intolerably hot. I have been to the baths in the Seine
all day trying to keep cool. Our garden is nice with
some shady trees.

JULY 16

Have been trying to read in the garden, but the com-
bination of flies and the heat was too much for me, so
darkened my room and went to sleep. After supper
mamma allowed me to take Frances for a drive — we had
to return post-haste as there was every indication of a
violent thunderstorm. We only just got in in time.
It is an extraordinary thing but the only fear I have ever
seen father show is that of lightning. He was waiting
anxiously on the perron for our return. He had had some
feather beds brought into the centre drawing-room,
all windows were closed and the shutters shut. He in-
sisted on mamma going in and there we sat for three
mortal hours, stifling. It certainly was one of the worst
storms I have ever seen. After it was over it was
deliciously fresh and I went for a good walk, not getting
home until 1.30.

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JULY Id

Mamma and Frances leave to-day for Fontainebleau,
then they go to the de Lussacs' (she was an American and
an old friend of mamma's), afterwards to pay some visits
on the Loire. I stop with father. My arm has been
very painful lately. I must have it examined again.

JULY«0

Our old nigger, Mamie, is quite well again, the chef is
going for a holiday and she is going to cook for us — as
we will be quite alone she will not have too much work
to do.

JULY 93

Still this horrible heat; I can do nothing. I feel like a

wrung out dish-doth. . • .

JULY 25

A little cooler. Have been putting all father's proofs
of his pamphlet in order and correcting them for him.
I do not know how he manages it. He is always cool and
calm and serene. His is indeed a blessed nature.

JULY «6

To our astonishment Monsieur de Lafayette appeared
last evening, full of mystery. He asked for hospitality,
which father was only too pleased to extend to him.
His baggage consisted of a large roll of green canvas tied
with a thick cord. He is very funny.

JULY SO

Great heat again. Monsieur Lafayette still here. He
only goes out at night. He is plotting something. Not a
soul in Paris, and those who are here do not show them-
selves. I sat outside at Tortoni's until midnight: with
the exception of Carrillon Latour I did not see a soul I
knew.

£12

DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN [18»

AUGUST 1

Some annoying news from America: I sincerely hope
father is not going to be dragged into politics again.
He is not so strong as he was, but his brain seems to be
even more active.

AUGUST 6

Nothing to record. Absolute monotony. Everything
at a standstill. I am getting so fat. Mamie Kitty
feeds us on all sorts of fattening things.

AUGUST 8

Monsieur de Lafayette left hurriedly to-day. About
10.30 this evening two mysterious noisy men sent in a note
to father. He received them alone: what transpired
I do not know, but he seemed greatly annoyed. . . .

AUGUST 9

Father sent this morning his confidential servant to Mr.

Parker's to try and get Monsieur de Lafayette's address.

He evidently wishes to warn him of some impending

danger.

AUGUST 11

I could have had an averUure galante, but it is too hot.

AUGUST 18

I had a bad attack of indigestion, am dieting on peaches —

they are so plentiful now after the abnormal hot weather.

AUGUST 17

Horrible nettlerash. I cannot get any sleep, sent for the
physician; he says it was caused by the peaches. He has
put me on milk and barley-water.

AUGUST ID

Two inches less around the waist. Must go and see
Alfred, he will be overjoyed.

£1S

1822] DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN

AUGUST 20

Ordered some new surtaids for the autumn, four pairs
pantaloons and three silk vests — one striped the others
with flowers.

AUGUST

Another shock, Lord Castlereagh that was, now Lord
Londonderry, committed suicide on the 12th at North
Cray. He seemed perfectly well: dressing for breakfast,
he cut an artery in his arm; there was no reason for
such an act, political or otherwise. They say there is
hereditary madness in the family. Father had the great-
est respect for him. He had always been just in all his
dealings, so large-minded, and his word was to be depended
upon.

We remain in Paris all the summer, mamma and Frances
are paying visits in the country. . . .

SEPTEMBER 15: CHATEAU DU ROSEY BOLE
Father insists upon my coming here. He put it on the
plea that he wanted me to attend to some business in
Geneva for him, but I know he thought I was dull alone
with him. I did not like leaving him, but as he has Mon-
sieur de Lafayette and several other friends I consented.
It is lovely here and I am very glad to be with my cousins.
They make me feel more like a dwarf than ever, they are
so colossal. They have planned a trip to Chamounix
for me. Adrian Naville is to be of the party — we are
going in a few days.

SEPTEMBER 17

We went yesterday to Allaman and slept at the chAteau.
My cousins the de Sellons were so glad to see us; they
have one whole side of the ch&teau covered with a vine
of American grapes: they are not quite ripe yet. A sister
of the Comte de Sellon married a Count Cavour from

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DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN [1822

Turin. They were on a visit at the ch&teau. They
have a son* with an enormous head, and one daughter
who is very handsome. Another sister of Monsieur de
Sellon's is the Duchesse de Clermont-Tonnerre, whom
we see so much of in Paris.

SEPTEMBER 19: CHAMOUNIX

We started eariy yesterday morning, a glorious day.
Mules met us and we reached here by the T6te Noire
Pass. A most beautiful road. Only one guide. A
very famous one who has made the ascent of Mont Blanc
eleven times. His name is Jacques Balmat. To-day
we have been to the Mer de Glace, a rather fine but dirty
glacier. We remain here till Friday.

SEPTEMBER 20

We have made several more ascents of moderate moun-
tains. My cousins are far more keen on finding some
chamoix to shoot. We saw several; they are very difficult
to approach and I only secured two. I am going to have
one of the heads stuffed as a trophy. The inn is very
modest, good beds, and the food very eatable but simple;
in fact, we are always ravenous, the air gives such splendid
appetite. Very few tourists. Some English, who seem
to be doing the ascents more as a task than a pleasure.
A French honeymoon couple who are most amusing.
They seem to imagine they are quite alone here.

SEPTEMBER 22: GENEVA

I left Chamounix with great regret. The Navilles in-
sisted on our paying them a visit of a few days. I have
been to see my cousins the Diodatis. Lord Byron occu-
pied the villa for several years and wrote several of his
poems there. They tell many funny stories and some very
odd ones about him, not quite fit for my diary.

*ThiB boy was the famous Count Cavour who helped to make
united Italy.

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SEPTEMBER 24: COPPET

We posted here to-day from Geneva and are stopping
the night. Such a truly hearty welcome from the de
Broglies and Auguste de Stael. The Duchesse de Luynes
and Monsieur Rocca* are here. It seems so strange to be
in this house and no Madame de Stael. Every time a
door opens I expect to see her enter. We leave to-
morrow for Du Rosey.

SEPTEMBER 26

A large shooting party arranged in the Jura to-morrow.
Blackcock is the principal game. We start at daylight,
which is about 3 o'clock.

SEPTEMBER 28

A delightful day and really quite a large bag. Twenty-
eight blackcock, sixteen miscellaneous birds, four foxes,
seventeen hares, two rats. A picnic-luncheon and more
champagne than was good for us; this was in my honour.

SEPTEMBER 29

I leave to-morrow for Saconnex to pay a visit to the
Bud€s; my friend Jules writes to me to be discreet, that
he is like a bird in a cage when at home. I will leave here
with regret, but I must be making my way back to Paris.
I feel it is my duty.

SEPTEMBER 80

Monsieur Du Rosey and his sons accompanied me part of
the way and Eugene and Jules de Bud6 met me and drove
me here. Jules confided in me that they were going to have
a soirSe in my honour, adding *' Mais les je^ines fiUes ne
sorU pas mSme dScoUeUes" He is incorrigible. After an
excellent supper and a most genuinely hearty welcome
I retired early. I am now writing between the most
deliciously lavender-smelling sheets.

* Second husband of Madame de Sta6l.
216

DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN [18«8

OCTOBER «: SACONNEX

The soirSe after all was very amusing. Notwithstanding
the jeunes fiUes wore bright spencers they were so per-
fectly natural and so thoroughly enjoyed themselves.
They have far more liberty than French girls. I think
I must take to myself a Swiss wife I

OCTOBER 7: DUON

After a really charming visit I left Saconnex, slept one
night in Geneva. What delicious Burgundy is obtainable
here ! It is such a delicate wine that transport changes
the flavour. I have a very pleasant travelling com-
panion who is on his way to the Embassy in Paris; he
has been at Berne and has risen a step — his name is
Cornwallis. He has not borrowed any money from me
as yet, so I believe he is genuine.

OCTOBER 14: PARIS

After several halts, arrived last night. Father very well.
He was pleased to see me back. I found plenty of work
to do, and have been hard at it all day. Matters political
in America are anything but satisfactory. Unless
there is some radical change, I hope we will not return.
Albert has written that the new house is in process of
building. As there is no architect to superintend it I
fear it will be a strange building. Father has sent out
marble mantel-pieces, &c. I dare not say so, but rather
out of place in Western Virginia. I told how in Geneva
all his relations hoped he would return there and settle
down. When I told him this there was a wistful look
in his eyes.

OCTOBER 16

We can do so little now as the Government is entirely
taken up with the war with Spain. At first it was
thought it would be disastrous to France, but opinion has
now changed. England has remained absolutely neutral.

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1822] DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN

OCTOBER 17

Absolutely no work to do, always the same life here.
I can hardly realize we have been here for six years. I
have quite made up my mind not to remain with another
Minister. I feel I ought to be ''up and doing" and
make a career for myself.

OCTOBER 19

I have persuaded father to take a good rest, and he has
consented. Having remained in Paris all summer he is
looking very white and tired. To my great pleasure he
proposed that we (he and I) should go to Bourg and see
the fine Palace of Jacques Cceur — this has been a pleasure
long postponed.

OCTOBER «0

We are going in our own coach. I have to-day seen
about the relays of horses. Father takes his man Garden,
and I take Lucien. It is a good four days' journey.

OCTOBER 25

It has indeed repaid us to come here. I never realized
what Renaissance architecture was, and what a won-
derful man was Coeur — almost a magician. His origin
is hardly known — but at one time the richest man in
France, until Charles VII stripped him of his fortune
to carry on his wars against the English, then by way
of gratitude threw him into a prison on a trumped-up
charge of poisoning Agnes Sorel, the former's mistress.
He was absolved of this charge. Went to the East and
made another fortune. One of his daughters married a
Lenth^ne, their daughter Agnes a Tudert, and Sarah
Tudert a Gallatin, our direct ancestor.

OCTOBER 26

We have been all day roaming about the ch&teau which
is a marvel of carving and decoration. Father has also

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DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN [18«2

been studying the archives of Bourg and has found
much of interest. The avberge is very clean — good beds
and food. The place is absolutely a city of the dead.
I go to bed at 10 o'clock.

OCTOBER 27

We have made a few excursions in the environs to-day —
it is not a very pretty country. I have not seen a single
pretty woman — ^how do the men exist ?

OCTOBER 28

We are leaving for Paris to-morrow by an entirely different
route which he has mapped out. I have thoroughly
enjoyed this quiet time with him, he is always interesting
and I know that I can always learn something from
him which improves me. For the first time, he has
mentioned his first wife to me. She evidently was the
real love of his life. They were only married a few
months when she died. Now I understand why he
wishes to return to Western Virginia: she died and was
buried there. I do not think he has ever mentioned
her name to mamma. Her memory is a sort of sacred
cult to him. It seems there was no doctor within reach;
he dared not leave her, and she died in great sufifering
in his arms.

NOVEMBER 4

Back again and settled down to work. Mamma and
Frances returned this morning. They have been all
the summer on the Loire paying visits. Frances looks
so well. Mamma's temper is slightly uncertain — her
first remark to me was: "How your hair has fallen
out." "Let me look at your teeth; they're going
too." I replied with a Chesterfieldian bow, "We all
cannot look as young as you do." She snapped, "You
should show more respect for your mother." She is
now absorbed, looking over all the new autumn fashion-

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1822] DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN

plates which have been sent to her by her coviurHre.
That will put her in a good humour. It is wonderful
what a soothing effect the prospect of a new frock has
upon the female mind. They will sell their very soul
for a new bonnet.

NOVEMBER 6

We were much surprised this morning in receiving an
invitation from the Duchesse de Berri for a soirSe intims
in her apartments in the Tuilleries on the 8th. This
is the first invitation she has honoured us with since
the death of the Duke.

NOVEMBER 8

We dined at the English Embassy yesterday — a very
large company. The Marquis and Marquise d'Osmond —
they have just returned from London where he has held
the post of French Ambassador for a long time. There
were some rather odd stories about Madame d'Osmond.
Madame de Boigne, their daughter, has taken a large
Hdtel in the Rue Bonaparte. Her mother and father
are to live with her, not that she needs a chaperone.
The Duchesse de Courland was another of the guests;
she renewed her attentions to father; I suppose that
she must now know that Pozzo di Borgo hoaxed her.
I sat next such a pretty English girl; she was so bright
and cheerful. I believe she is a niece or daughter of
Lord Clanricarde. Another charming girl was a Miss
Edwards, daughter of Lord Somebody, whose name I
did not catch. She took a great fancy to Frances and
asked to be allowed to call to see her. Mamma told her
she would be delighted to receive her.
The gardens of the embassy are beautiful. The
Hdtel* is in the Faubourg St. Honor^, and the gardens
run to the Champs Elys6es. I believe the English

* The Hotel Borgh^, bought by the Duke of Wellington for the
English Government for £36,000.

220

DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN [18«2

Government bought it for some absurdly small sum
after the Revolution. Why is it so many English women
have those rabbit teeth? it quite spoils their beauty.

NOVEMBER 9

The soirfe at the Duchesse de Bern's was very gay.
She had a band of Neapolitan singers and dancers in
costume, a great novelty for Paris. The Duchesse
d'Angoulfime was present and was more unbending than
I have ever seen her before. I do not think she quite
approved of the sans fagon style of the entertainment.
Neither the Due nor Monsieur were present. The Duchesse
de Berri has grown fat, but has improved in her looks.
She is very loud, was dressed abominably and has lost
her figure. Many lovers are assigned to her, but I never
believe half I hear. The Due and Duchesse d'Orl^ans
were both present, all was over at 1 o'clock. We danced
until midnight, when supper was served. The Palace is
so very dirty, it has not been cleaned for years. I hear
the Royal Family are all moving to St. Cloud and the
Tuilleries is to be entirely cleansed. I am sure it is
not healthy.

NOVEMBER 10

I am seriously thinking of going in for the Diplomatic
Service. Commencing as I have at such an early age,
I have already acquired some useful knowledge. Father
hopes that a regular Diplomatic Service will be organized
in America the same as in other countries. In any case
I believe I would always be employed by the Government.
Some relations sent mamma some live terrapin from
Baltimore. Frances and I took out two into the garden
and tried to make them race — Frances's won. It seemed
to cheer them up after their long sea voyage.

NOVEMBER 12

I was to shoot at Fontainebleau but the rain has not
ceased for two days. Monsieur de Lafayette has been here

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1822] DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN

for a few days, and he does not seem to care to go out of
the house — he is very mysterious and father is convinced
that he has some new plot. He was closeted with Mr.
Baring for several hours this afternoon. A report has
just come that the King is very ill at St. Cloud. The
Court was to have returned to Paris to-day but it is now
postponed.

NOVEMBER 18

A fine day at last, bright sunshine. Father has mapped
out a regular course of reading for me. Books on diplo-
macy. I shut myself up in my room this morning
from 9 until 12. I hope to keep this up every day. I
gave the first sitting for my miniature this afternoon.
Had two teeth drawn — great pain. We heard to-day that
Mrs. Robert Patterson is going to marry the Marquis
of Wellesley, the Duke of Wellington's brother; he is
Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland. Madame Bonaparte will
burst with envy.

NOVEMBER 16

Miss Edwards and Cornwallis dined with us to-day,
the former is a daughter of Lord Kensington, she and
Frances have struck up a great friendship. Unfortu-
nately she is leaving shortly for England, and returning
after the Christmas holidays. She has invited Frances
to go back with her, and Lady Kensington has written
to mamma requesting her to allow Frances to accompany
her daughter. Mamma will not give her consent. When
father heard of it he said, ''All women have unreasonable
reasons."

NOVEMBER 17

The Duchesse de Courland called this morning, abso-
lutely forced her way in. Father was greatly an-
noyed and had great difficulty in getting rid of her. I
have been all the afternoon at Alfred's, my tailor's.

^^^

DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN [1822

He is making me some coats and pantaloons of the
latest fashion. I must either eat less or wear a whale-
bone belt. Alfred is in despair; he says my figure
takes all the soul out of his creations. Lucien is in trouble
and has confessed to me — this time it is a married woman
and the husband has found everything out. Mamma
has discovered an old nigger cook, an escaped slave,
and has promptly engaged her. Simply to cook hominy,
Maryland chicken, buckwheat cakes and waffles. If
I eat much of this fare, no whalebone belt will keep me
in bounds and the great Alfred will commit suicide.

NOVEMBER 20

There are extraordinary stories, more or less true, of the
immense sums that Madame du Cayla has obtained from
the poor King. Sosth^ne de la Rochefoucauld was, and
some say is still, her lover; he has carried through all
her disgraceful intrigues against the Government. The
Due de Richelieu had the greatest contempt for her
and did not disguise it. The last scandal of Madame Bema-
dotte. Queen of Sweden, is that when poor Monsieur de
Richelieu went into the country she followed him, stopping
at all the avbergea that he did. What is incomprehensible
is that Bernadotte allowed her to behave as she did.
But it seems he is only too delighted to get rid of her.
Father says when he first saw him he was a coarse,
vulgar creature, without manners and totally without
education. I believe the only descendant of the last
King of Sweden is the Queen of Wurtemberg. I must
ask Comte de Gallatin about him. I suppose some day
the descendants of Bernadotte will rank with the other
Royal Families of Europe.

NOVEMBER 22

We dined yesterday with the Due and Duchesse de
Montmorency. They have not lived together for many
years. He was seized with a religious mania. She has

22S

1822] DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN

now fallen violently in love with him; it is absurd to see
her behaviour in public. It makes it far worse as she
is an extremely ugly woman. He on the contrary is
known as the handsomest man in France.

NOVEMBER 80, 1822

This I fear will be our last Christmas and New Year in
Paris; as far as I can look ahead we will be in Western
Virginia this time next year. What an extraordinary
change it will be. I often ask myself, was it right to bring
me, at the age of sixteen, abroad ? To lead a life absolutely
different from that at home. To accustom me to luxury
and excitement. I never like to question what he does,
but sometimes I fear he made a mistake. Here I am at the
age of twenty-five, without any future mapped out for me,
accustomed to simply wasting my time in an everlasting
routine of enjoyment. He is wise and may be perfectly
right — ^that I will tire of this life and will be only too
glad to settle down to a quiet and rational existence.
Naturally with his influence he can always place me in
some good position. Last year Alexander Baring offered
to take me into his banking house in London, but father
seems to cling to me and if I once went to London in all
probability we would be separated for years. It would
never enter my heart to do anything to displease him
or cause him a moment's pain.

DECEMBER 2

Frances has begged to have a soirSe on Christmas Eve.
So that is settled. We are going to act a little fairy-
tale, which I think will be very pretty.

DECEMBER 4

More and more invitations — the trouble is that most of
them are from the Corps Diplomatique and we cannot
refuse.
Several pagea entirely ^ned by dampneea, — ^Editor.

DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN [1828

Tried on four pairs pantaloons and two coats to-day.
Alfred is pleased that I am thinner.
Father seems much disgusted by news from America.
He has not told me what it is, but I believe it has to do
with the Presidential Election. Mr. Adams has written
me a very friendly letter, asking me what my opinion is
with regard to father, and hinting that a place in the
new Cabinet would be found for him if Mr. Crawford is
returned. I do not think this is quite right as they are
both opposed in political opinions and belong to opposite
parties. I cannot gauge his reason for writing. I
know in his heart of hearts he has a very strong opinion
of father's ability. I have not mentioned the receipt
of the letter to father and will answer it without com-
mitting myself in any way. I fully recognize the fact
that it is quite useless to remain here. Father is simply
wasted. Any one can fill the post as there is absolutely
nothing to do. Father is deeply occupied in writing
some pamphlet, and so absorbed is he that at times I
really believe he forgets he is in France.

DECEMBER 6

Our poor old nigger, Mamie, had a stroke to-day, her
lower limbs are paralysed. The doctors think she will
recover. I went up to see her in her room. As I ap-
proached I heard her singing and waited to hear the words;
they were repeated over and over again, always the same.
"Nobody pity me, nobody pity me, but Jesus, she came
riding by and said, 'Nigger f oiler me.' " Poor old soul.
I asked her how old she was. She said, "Perhaps
twenty, perhaps a hundred."

DECEMBER 7

I find I can only write every two days in my dear old
diary. Our little fairy-play will, I think, be very pretty.
It is from an old one father found in his grandmother's
papers, and was acted at Cassell. Of course there is a

82f

1822] DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN

Princess (this is Frances), a good fairy and a bad one,
a naughty boy (myself), a Prince and a host of fairies
of all sizes. I have borrowed all sorts of scenery, &;c.
&c., from the property man at the opera. Mamma is
in her element with the dresses.

DECEMBEB 8

First rehearsal to-day. Mamie Kitty has recovered the
use of one leg — ^the guilty footman I met on the stairs
with a large bunch of violets. The French are so good-
hearted. He said to me, *' Excellence, ce n^est ma faiUe,
n'esUce-'paaf"
Skating again, but I have not been out as yet.

DECEMBER 9

Father had a long talk with me this morning. He has
quite decided to return in the spring to America. The
new house will be completed and we will bury ourselves.
I will not remain there long.

DECEMBER 10

Have been skating all day. Bright sunshine, but very
cold. Katinka Caumont la Force as energetic as ever.
She seems very happy.

DECEMBER 12

No time now except for rehearsal — the girls will chatter,
so I have oflfered a prize to the one who keeps her tongue
quiet for ten minutes at a time. No one has won it yet.

DECEMBER 15

Between rehearsals and skating I don't seem to have
time for anything else. If it were summer we could have
had our play in the garden, still the ball-room is quite large
enough. We have invited four hundred guests. Before the
play the two de Lussac girls, a Clermont-Tonnerre, Mile
de Montesquieu and two Gallatins are going to dance

228

DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN [1822

such a pretty pavane. The dancing mistress of the
opera is teaching them. They are to be poudrSes. It
will be all "milk and water," but pretty. Many of my
suggestions have been scouted with horror. The only
person who backs me up at all is Pozzo di Borgo. He
says: "Maia pourquoi past" He does not know
mamma.

DECEMBER 16

Skating all the morning. A thaw has set in. A venture-
some Frenchman was boldly pushing one of the sledges
with his fiancee in it, when crack went the ice and in they
went, only about two feet of water. Both shrieked "aauvez-
nous" We sensibly answered "walk to the bank."
When they did manage to climb up, they were received
by their respective mammas and papas, hugged and
embraced as if they had escaped a great danger.

DECEMBER 16

Obliged to go to a reception at the Spanish Embassy.
Father insisted upon my accompanying him. A great
crowd. The Orleans family were present. Talleyrand
looked like an old rat. I hate the sight of him^

DECEMBER 21

Father has just had an official note that Monsieur de
Montmorency has resigned from his post of Minister of
Foreign Affairs and that Monsieur de Vill^e is to keep
the place warm for Monsieur de Chateaubriand. This
has amazed him exceedingly. The continual changing
of the Minister of Foreign Affairs absolutely places the
negotiations re the Indemnity claims at a standstill; after
Monsieur de Montmorency's pledges given to father in
July it is not just or straightforward. Father has sent
a very strong note couched in these terms to Monsieur
de Viliae.

227

1822] DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN
DECEMBER 28

All is now ready and our last rehearsal will take place
to-night. This morning Madame de Boigne called. The
Duchesse d'Orl^ns had intimated to her that they would
like to see our little play. Of course father went at once
in person and apologized on the score that he did not think
the little entertainment worthy of their Royal Highnesses.
Begged they would honour him with their presence.
They are all coming.

CHBISTMAS DAY

The pavane and fairy-tale were really charming and
far surpassed what I had expected. The moving trees
in the play were a great novelty. They were worked by
small fairies, which I had trained. When Frances ap-
peared riding a wee white donkey led by fairies the Due
led off the applause, which was very hearty. Frances
did look lovely and acted so well. After all was over
the Due and Duchesse and Mademoiselle stood by the
fire-place and we (the actors) all dSfiled before them.
Their congratulations were very hearty.

DECEMBER 26

We had a quiet Christmas dinner — some waifs and strays

that mamma had invited.

DECEMBER 28

I have promised to go to a supi>er to see the New Year in,
as I am nearly certain this will be our last New Year in
Paris — Paris that I adore, Paris that has at last taught
me that there is more in life than frivolity and amuse-
ment. Father is wise. I know he wished both Albert
and myself away from any town in America. Paris
has taught me much and I think now I will profit by the
lesson.

DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN [1828

DECEMBER SO

I went with mamma to-day in a common coach. To-day
she took all her New Year offerings to some poor Ameri-
cans. She is so truly kind. Hampers of food, clothes,
&c. &c. She did not even forget the children, and had
toys for them all. Frances has a cold or would have gone
with us. I dread a tedious dinner at the de la Roche-
foucaulds'. All of us are bidden.

JANUARY 2, 1828

I have been too busy to write a line in my diary.
The usual Court difiU on New Year's Day. The King
looking very ill and did not seem to take any interest
in anything. Madame du Cayla triumphant by his side.
It seemed such a strange thing, as if she were his wife.
We dined with Pozzo di Borgo at the Embassy; nearly all
Russians, a Monsieur Narishkin, the greatest noble in
Russia, but who bears no title, his card is simply '"Narish-
kin." It is very strange, but Russians are only semi-
civilized. Perfect manners, external polish — ^the moment
they have just a little too much to drink, the savage
comes out. Very true the saying is, '" Scratch the Russian
and find the Tartar." Such a round of calls for the New
Year commencing at the Palais Royale, all the Diplo-
matic Corps, &c. — it took us the whole day.

JANUARY 5

I have had a sore throat and not able to go out for the last
three days. Disquieting letters from Albert in America.
Father has quite decided to return to America and give
up his post here. Mr. Astor, with great courage, has writ-
ten begging him to remain. Rather amusing as it is
evidently for his own interests, as he is shortly coming to
Paris.

Miss Edwards comes to stay with us for a month on
Friday. I am pleased for Frances's sake as I fear she is
a little dull being so hemmed in by lea convenances.

229

1823] DIARY OP JAMES GALLATIN
JANUARY 6

Katinka Galitzin (Caumont la Force) had a baby last
night. Oddly enough the sex is not yet decided.

JANUARYS

My throat all right again. Miss Edwards has postponed
her arrival until the 12th. I go to Fontainebleau for
four days for the chase.

JANUARY 10: FONTAINEBLEAU

Perfect weather. We are a large party, several ladies
for the first time. The rage is now to gamble — ^the
tables are set out directly after dinner, which is over
at 8 o'clock. They play until 11.30 and then supper
is announced. The moment it is over back again to
the tables. The favourite game is "Boston"; it was
invented I believe by the officers on the French ship of
war in Boston Harbour. I, without being noticed, steal
oB to bed after supper as I do not gamble, so find it very
tedious.

JANUARY 1«

Madame Carillon la Tour lost the skirt of her riding dress
to-day, it caught in a low bough of a tree and was literally
torn off. There fortunately was a coach close at hand,
as we were near to the Grand Pharamond. She did
not appear at dinner. The daughter-in-law of the Prince
de Poix had an altercation at the gambling table and
slapped Madame de Montesquieu's face — the Comtesse
de Maille lost very highly and burst into tears, saying
she was ruined. How gambling debases people. The
gentlest of women becomes a virago when she is gambling.
A noisy supper — soon after I was off to bed.

JANUARY 18

Horrid adventure last night. I have had just the ghost of
an intrigue with a certain lady who is here with her sister.

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DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN [1828

She had made an appointment for me to come to her
room after all was quiet in the house. I arrayed myself
in a large flowered damask dressing-gown (made of an
old frock of mamma's) and sallied forth d Vaveniure,
All went well. I found the room; the door was slightly
ajar. Entering I locked it, the key snapped off short
in the lock. Horror of horrors I No other means of
exit. Too high for me to jump out of the window. We
were at our wits' end; qturi fairef After much thought
I decided on a plan — Madame de L. was to knock loudly on
the door the moment she heard the servants moving in
the morning. I was to lie perdu. She, after the door
was opened, to go to her sister's room which was on the
floor above, taking the servant with her. All went well
until I emerged from the room. I saw four distinct
heads looking out of four doors, nothing to be done but
to make a bolt for it, which I did; I do not think they
recognized me. As soon as I reached my room I kindled
the fire and burnt my dressing-gown as that could easily
be identified. I am now waiting events. We are just
off to the chase.

JANUARY 15

Last evening at dinner Monsieur de Champeau suddenly
asked, " Who has a red and green damask dressing-gown ? "
nobody responded. Tour du Pain said, "How odd, I
certainly have seen one," still no answer. Madame
de Castries turned to me and said, " What colour is your
dressing-gown?" I blandly answered "rose": the old
cat, she must have been looking out of her door. Madame
de Coss6 Brissac exclaimed, "I certainly saw a figure
in a most gorgeous red and green damask gown in the
corridor."

I had confided my adventure to George Caraman. He
had two dressing-gowns with him and had lent me his
"rose" one so I feel perfectly safe. Madame de Castries
said, "The only way to decide this was for all the

2S1

1828] DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN

gentlemen to retire and to put on their dressing-gowns
and to defile before the ladies.'^ This we did — and re-
turned to the talon. Shouts of laughter when old
Comte de Laval appeared in a dressing-gown of broad
green and red stripes. He is the brother of Madame de
Brissac; she instantly said, ''That is not the one, it was
large flowers of red, green and gold.'' Madame de
Castries instantly said, "You know more about the
pattern than anybody else, so it must have been from
your room that I saw the gentleman emerge at 6 o'clock
this morning." Madame de B. answered, ''At least
respect my age." This was received with shouts of
laughter.

JANUARY 16

Paris, arrived home late this afternoon and had to dress
with all haste to take mamma and Frances to a concert
at the Palais Royale. Father had intended to accom-
pany them, but he has had a cold. Katinka's baby has
declared itself — ^it is a boy.

JANUARY 18

The concert very fine. Orande toilette. All the Corps
Diplomatique; a host of English; the Countess of Stafford
whom I had met at Coppet in 1815. She recognized me
at once and was most gracious saying, "I can no longer
call you Cupid." Father has bidden mother to invite
her to dinner for the 26th. Also the Due and Duchesse
d'0rl6ans and Mademoiselle. He has told me to make
out a list of the people whom I think will best suit, and
to submit it to him, so that he can forward it to
the Palais Royale for their approval.

JANUARY 19

A hard frost. Skated this afternoon. Opera in the
evening. Frances ate too many candies and had indi-
gestion, so could not go. Mamma had her put to bed

232

DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN [1828

before we started. Letters from Albert not satisfactory.
I am going to-morrow to consult Alfred about my
costume for the 26th. It is very late and I have just
finished drafting some dispatches to Mr. Rush. They
were laid out on my table where I found them on my
return from the opera. Mile Favier looked with favour
upon me. I will send her some flowers to-morrow.

JANUARY «0

Sent Mile Favier some flowers, cost me 20 francs;
hidden in them a little ''could I would she'' biUet-4ovx.
I will await results.

JANUARY «1

No answer as yet. I will go to the opera to-night; she
is dancing. Father is disgusted with the childish be-
haviour of the French Ministry. If they would only
give a decided answer one way or the other, he would
then know the position he stood in. Still no answer to
my note. Last night she did not even look at me. A
louis thrown away.

JANUARY 2S

All our guests have accepted for the 26th. The Due
approved the list. In fact, I believe he never alters one
sent by an Ambassador or Minister of a foreign Power.
We are having a tented room built over the garden,
for the music.

JANUARY «S

An extraordinary note from Madame de Boigne saying
she supposed her invitation must have miscarried, but
that she accepted with pleasure; qvm fairef We now
have to find another man to balance the table. A note
has just been brought to me from Mile F., would I sup
with her on the 26th — was there ever such luck? I
will try to see her to explain. We do not dine until

2SS

1823] DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN

8 o'clock and the Orleans always stop very late. Alber-
tine de Broglie has just o£Fered the loan of her fine plate.

JANUARY 24

Father has just put his veto on our using the de Broglie's
plate so kindly offered. He dislikes anything like show
or pretence in any way. Mamma is sad and silent. I
went this afternoon and parted with another louis d'or
and literally laid some flowers at the Favier's feet.
She was at home and received me most graciously. I
explained how I was situated and with great grace she
begged me not to apologize but to come to supper the
next night. The louis was well spent after all. I can-
not but feel sorry for the Bonapartists. They are barely
recognized. Even their showy titles are not given to
them. There is a son of the Emperor, a Count Walewski,
his mother was a Pole. He is quite young, a handsome
lad, and is being well brought up. One of our guests on
the 26th is the Countess de Flahaut, she is very old.
Her son was the lover of Queen Hortense, the wife of
Louis Bonaparte, King of Holland. She has a son by
Flahaut. The old Madame de Flahaut was born Souza-
Bothelo, and is a very grand dame. Her coach is the
finest in Paris after the King's — four footmen standing
up behind. She looks like a mummy. Very cold.
Father sent for me this afternoon to copy some dis-
patches for him in post-haste. I do hope he is not going
to be drawn into political life again. I said quite inno-
cently to mamma, "So Katinka's child is a boy after all."
Mamma answered, "The Princess wrote to me it was a
girl." I replied, "The Prince told me yesterday it was a
boy." Seeing mamma was beginning to show unmis-
takable signs of strong character I cried, "A truce,
she must have had twins."

JANUARY «6

Everything is in a bustle and a hustle. It is not an easy
matter to entertain at dinner sixty people when the house-

234

DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN [182S

hold is not a very large one. Chevet is doing the main
part of the cooking. Our Russian glass is very fine; it was
a present to father from the Tsar Alexander. Mile
Favier was more than gracious. I will see more of her.

JANUARY 27

The banquet was very fine, and marked by great simplicity
in comparison with those at the Russian, Spanish, and
English Embassies. The Orleans did not leave until
after midnight.

All the heads of the Corps Diplomatique were present with
their ladies. The Marchioness of Stafford wore very mag-
nificent, superb jewels. She is so absolutely simple and
unaffected, but such a great lady. The dinner was
excellent. Music just loud enough. Mamma radiant.
The Due d'0rl6ans speaks such perfect English and as she
had the English Ambassador on her left she was quite
at her ease. Monsieur de Lafayette, who is well received
at the Palais Royale, was present. The Due d'0rl6ans
expressed great regret to both father and to mamma that
we were returning to America. Father has only applied
for six months' leave and will await the turn of events.
Albert is most anxious for him to see the new home, which
has cost far more than father had estimated.

JANUARY «9

As this is our last Carnival I am going to try to amuse
myself, but I have not much heart for it. I frankly own
I dread returning to America. I have no friends of my own
age there, nothing in common with the young American
men. They are all absorbed in making money. The
idea of being tied down to a counting-house stool after
my life here is most repugnant to me. Father cannot
expect me to settle down in a wild country without
neighbours — absolutely thrown on our own resources.
Madame de Duras and Madame de B6thisy called on
mamma to-day, the former to express the regret of her

2S5

1828] DIARY OP JAMES GALLATIN

Royal mistress, the Duchesse d'Angoul£me, and the latter
that of the Duchesse deBerri^at our approaching departure.
Madame de Duras said her Royal mistress expressed
a desire to receive mamma and Frances absolutely
privately — not officially. The interview is to be on
February 4. It is certainly most gracious of her.
Father wishes to pay a short visit to Greneva, but
the weather Is much too severe at present for him to
undertake the journey. Frances is rather elated at the
idea of returning to America. She wants the freedom
which young girls enjoy there. I can quite understand
that. Monsieur de Lafayette has informed father that
he intends paying his last visit to America. This will be at
least something to look forward to.

JANUARY 80

Easter is late this year. The Carnival does not begin

until the middle of next month. Rumours that the

King had a stroke to-day, but not yet verified. Madame

Bonaparte very much annoyed with father for leaving

France without having married Frances into some great

family.

FEBRUARY 2

Always some petty and annoying dispatches from
America framed by Mr. Adams. I really think he spends
his idle moments in writing them, simply to vent his spleen
on father for his imaginary grievances at Ghent. A
delightful letter from Mr. Rufus King* in an entirely
di£Perent strain. Madame Patterson Bonaparte was
most amusing to-day at dinner relating all her experiences
at Rome and Florence with the Bonaparte family.
Madame Mire she prefers to them all, saying she is a
simple Corsican country woman with common sense.
The others, she says, cannot get over the position they

* Rufus King, grandfather of Madame Waddington, late I>Vench
ambaoBadreflB at the CkHirt of St. James.

286

DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN [182S

once held, and in everything they do, show their bad
breeding. She says that there is not one of the Em-
peror's sisters who has not one or more illegitimate chil-
dren and that they seem to glory in it instead of thinking
it a disgrace. It seems last evening she was at the
Russiah Embassy when the Due d'Orl^ans was an-
nounced. She at once tried to withdraw, but he met her at
the door and made her a low bow saying, '^Bon soir,
Prince88eJ^ I am certain she was flattered or she would not
have repeated it. A dear old American woman called
to-day; she has a great desire to see the King at close
quarters. Father was so impressed by her simplicity
and sincerity that he is going to arrange for her to be in
one of the rooms his Majesty passes through. She is
from the West and told father she had actually seen
the Dauphin there (Louis XVII), that he had been brought
up by some Indians who had turned Christian. Father
was much interested as she described the clothes he had
worn when he came to America. All of the finest quality;
that he himself could not remember anything beyond
a prison, a mob and a very beautiful mother — also great
grief. If he is not the Dauphin (which father doubts)
he must be the child of some great noble who was guillo-
tined during the French revolution. Still it is interesting.
The Duchesse d'Angoulgme is convinced that her brother
is still alive. Father thought perhaps of introducing
this woman to her presence, but on maturer thought
thinks it would perhaps be unwise to open fresh wounds.
His belief is that this child may be the son of the Due
de Bourbon, or some other Bourbon.

FEBRUARY 3

Very cold again. Skating on the Petit Lac. I miss
Katinka, who was always such a cheerful companion.
Madame Bonaparte has been extolling the beauty of a
Mile Josiphine Pascault, the daughter of the Marquis
de Pol6on, who lives in Baltimore. She says to see her

287

182S] DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN

is to fall in love with her. She is the youngest sister
of Madame Reubel, who was the great friend of Madame
Bonaparte when she was a girl. There is twenty-two
years' difference in their ages, as Mile Pascault was
born when her mother was fifty-two years of age. I
have something to look forward to as I worship beauty.

FEBRUARY 5

All the Corps Diplomatique have called upon us to express
their regret at our departure. I really believe they are
all sincere. Father with his great simplicity of manner,
his sincerity, has won all hearts. I do not think he ever
has an evil thought.

Mamma and Frances had a most delightful interview
with the Duchesse d'Angoul^me yesterday afternoon.
She received them in her boudoir absolutely without
ceremony; expressed her regret that mamma was
leaving and said many flattering things. When they
retired she drew Frances to her and kissed her on both
cheeks. Poor woman, she has always longed for a child
of her own.

FEBRUARY 7

I am going to make an ass of myself at the Carnival —
have been drawn into going with some boon companions
in a car. I go to-morrow to Compidgne to hunt, but for
one night only.

FEBRUARY 9

Enjoyed Compi^gne very much: a fine day, and we
killed several head of deer. The party was entirely
made up of men — so was devoid of interest.

FEBRUARY 10

Showers of invitations for farewell dinners before Lent.
Father will go to Geneva as soon as Lent commences.

2d8

DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN [1823

He goes alone. That Comtesse de Boigne is irrepressible;
she had the audacity to ask mamma at the Spanish
Embassy last night if her jewels were real. I cannot
understand a woman of her birth and education being so
absolutely tactless. I think mamma must have given
her a decided answer.

FEBRUARY 15

Full Carnival. I am beginning to enjoy it. We have
arranged a car — also various suppers. A masked ball
to-night at the opera. I am going to escort Mile F.
Supper at the Maison Dor6e.

FEBRUARY 17

Car a great success. Representing a "Horn of Plenty,"
we were all most carefully disguised, ces dames as well. A
boisterous supper. Enfin — the last for me, so I will
enjoy it though I have not got quite the zest and entrain
of a couple of years since.

FEBRUARY 19

A dinner of farewell to-night at the Due de Fernan
Nunez, the Spanish Ambassador's. To-morrow the Baron
Vincent entertains us. I will have to manage to get off
early as there is a ball at the opera and we have a supper —
this time des dames du monde.

FEBRUARY 22

To-night, Shrove Tuesday — our last supper, our last
ball, my last time in the half-world as we leave, I
believe, in April— finis I

FEBRUARY 24

Bad news from America about Albert, both father and
mother much troubled. I am sorry. Serious work now;
all entertaining at a standstill until Easter. It is freezing
again, I am glad to say — prospects of skating.

239

188S1 DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN

Frances had an excellent proposal for her hand to-day« a
man of good familyi well off, &c., but she has only seen
him twice. Father would not think of such a marriage
for her.

MABCH4

I think we all begin now to realize what a wrench it will be
to leave Paris. Mamma was trying to make plans for
our arrival in America. Her sister, Mrs. Montgomery,
has very kindly placed her country house near New
York at our disposal. Father will have to go both to
Washington and to Geneva. Baltimore will be our
ultimate end until that wretched house is finished-
Mamma actually burst into tears when talking over plans
for the future. She has now acknowledged that it will
be hard for her to leave Paris. Of course none of this
is said before father; we never distress him if it can be
avoided.

MABCH 12

As soon as Lent is over we begin our round of aditua.
I am making out the list so that we will not offend any-
body by forgetting them. Mamma says it is useless
for her to order any more frocks for either herself or
Frances as they will have no opportunity of wearing them.

AFBIL 16

Easter being over we are beginning to strike our tents and
packing has already commenced. The Government
has placed the Peacock at father's disposal. As the
King is leaving for St. Cloud we take an informal leave
of him on the 19th. As father has only applied for leave
for six months this does not necessitate a formal leave-
taking. Madame Bonaparte has been most kind. She
has done everything to cheer mamma and Frances. She
told us to-day that she had written to her father to do all
in his power for us in Baltimore. We really will be home-
less. No use regretting, it cannot be mended.

240

DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN [1828

APBIL 20

At 11.30 we were received privately by the King.
Wonderful to relate, Madame du Cayla was not present.
Both Monsieur and the Due d'Angoul6me were. The
King seemed overcome, expressed deep regret at parting
with father. Mamma and Frances were then admitted
and took a formal farewell of him. Both Monsieur
and the Due d'Angoul6me accompanied father and
mamma to the door of the ante-chamber and expressed
a wish that they would return to Paris. The Due
d'Aumont then escorted us to the apartments of the
Duchesse d'AngoulSme. Half-way he handed us over
to the care of the Duchesse de Serent and the Vicomte
de Montmorency. Mamma and Frances were received
first — after they retired, father and myself were intro-
duced. The Duchesse was most unbending and expressed
regret, but the hope of seeing father again. She handed
him a sealed packet, begging him to take great care of it.
We then retired and to our amazement found a Royal
carriage had been ordered to take us home; a second
one followed with a gentleman and a lady of the Court.
This was a very great compliment — as it was only an
informal leave-taking. To-morrow we go to the Palais
Royale to take leave. To-night I am going to the opera
with a heavy heart, there to take a loving farewell of all
the ladies who have shown me much kindness. I cannot
afford to offer them a supper, I only wish I could.

APBIL 21, 1828

We had a most charming reception at the Palais Royale.
They one and all expressed their regret at our departure,
and I believe it was sincere; certainly on the part of
the Duchesse and Mademoiselle. All the elder children
were present and each one in English wished us a pleasant
and speedy voyage and hoped we would soon return.
They had been taught their little lesson very well.
Father opened the package that the Duchesse d'An-

241

ISSSl DIARY OF JAMES

Frances had an excellent proposal
man of good family^ well off, &c.,
him twice. Father would not li.
for her.

MABCH4

I think we all begin now to real!-''
to leave Paris. Mamma was t
our arrival in America. Her '
has very kindly placed her .
York at our disposal. FathtT
Washington and to Geneva.
ultimate end until that wrv
Mamma actually burst into U-
for the future. She has now
be hard for her to leave Par
is siud before father; we nev
avoided.

MABCH 12

As soon as Lent is over wp
I am making out the list s(^ '
body by forgetting them.
for her to order any mor*-
Frances as they will have m

APRIL 16

Easter being over we are bt
packing has already co-
has placed the Peacock
King is leaving for St. CI
of him on the 19th. As f
for six months this does >
taking. Madame Bonap:
has done everything to cl
told us to-day that she hn<
in his power for us in Bait!
No use regretting, r

GALLinX
'OfloauB several 'Tariff

&miom Lous X' U ji:
.V loor •laki wm ives r:
'^'^pBC tatner tn jivegriate
• id .r ii die grao' Tisii f
<^ ^^ be atifte to ana ^
««. J«t be ia v«t iccpt Ji
peapk are yru
at

ItJHL 2t

Jiuvgiu. PraBtB sics
and Li&vecte
f^gemdL Monseor
tDthelroiee

beusH

in Mxv.

'w«nd afl tine jein
t^iia words mibnDed
-iMKe mast cbin^

•^tJttrfnirip of Americi.

'^ic with so numy
Mcttlar. I have

•"lave expressed
** to be smcerei
' '<*' alwi^ys look

^ovediftos.

New

t>x>.vvt^"

OF JAMKS GALLA

•■ M.^<.1 *v"\« ^^^'^ I think she .. very
• W.^S --;'*^^". "trerscU to show tou n:..

,,^V1VB- C»J ^^,,, „,l that tW,

• *^ 1 a»v» ^^ Alamma has hrou

o"*?V^
,,c-e« and her.e\t. Fa.tL>-
,... .1.0 hanl to come witiT
k *ijrtr*-^*^ -' r,i^fM\ lad. ail

l^ a very good lad. aiA^^
Vtxe ana the last ^cv^Tx ^

W.^-.*v%-^^'^^ eves r^umetuneb Wo^

. ^\ I VI t ^^ -^^^ ' ,tm in the Rue ^^ ^^^

, \i 1^ * ^, , i^een a horrible dream .
S»ti • ^*,^^ mef^^eim. TbeL^ac^\^^
il,.iU^"^^^^g of the pigs ^^lt\^3^
t|iifc~^ to undergo. LwcV^

'^X\ ^^'^J^^y fine, Captmi\ \

^G^V nnt.% ^- ^i^vcLiM.
faU" v^huls and tVmt,
••'-y*^,^^ sLv Frances \\a

^""^''^^ ^.-iiiaries have Vietjvv
""uc^ terrible coia^vv-:

""uc^ terrible coia^vvVicV"^^^^
t-rs ^^^''^ ^"^^ arr\^-^(\ ^^^ _

,;i^ act. tanarie^ iovtT^^^ ^

^^^^1

1828] DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN

goulSme handed to him. It contains several copies
of letters addressed to her from America from people
who imagine they are the Dauphin (Louis XVII) and
from others who state that the poor child was given into
their care. A note from her begging father to investigate
the matter if he possibly can, as it is the great wish of
her life if her brother is alive to be able to find him.
Of course father will do all he can, but he is very sceptical
on the matter and fears that wicked people are trying
to prey on her feelings with a view of making money.

APRIL 22

Count Pozzo di Borgo has been kindness itself. He
breakfasted with us to-day. He brought Frances such
a pretty bracelet. Alexander Humboldt and Lafayette
come to dinner to-morrow for a last farewell. Monsieur
la Place* sent his regrets, but he is confined to the house
with rheumatism. He sent mamma some beautiful
flowers.

All is quite settled and we sail for America in May.
Father is much vexed that he has wasted all these years
on so futile a mission. He has in plain words informed
Monsieur de Chateaubriand that France must change
her policy if she wishes to retain the friendship of America.

MAY 10

We leave on the 14th. I regret parting with so many
kind friends — the de Broglies in particular. I have
made nearly all my adietis. One and all have expressed
a wish that we will return. Some I know to be sincere,
the others are not worth a thought. I will always look
back upon these seven years spent in my beloved Paris.
Father has had that stone house built at New Geneva,
an absolutely wild place. I doubt if he ever inhabits it.
I deeply regret for Frances's sake that we could not remain
a few years longer. Mamma, who has that impassive
* A weIl«known writer on finaooe.
242

DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN [1828

nature that nothing upsets, is quite serene and happy
now. Madame Bonaparte has really shown deep feeling
at parting with us. I think she is very grateful but she
does not allow herself to show too much of her true
nature.

LE HAVRE, ON BOARD "THE PEACOCK"
I am glad that it is over and that the great wrench is
made. I am writing in my cabin. We sail early to-
morrow morning. Mamma has brought her maid, who
will do for Frances and herself. Father has his man.
Lucien begged so hard to come with me that father
consented. He is a very good lad, and I feel he is a sort
of link between me and the last seven years of my happy
life. I shut my eyes sometimes hoping when I open
them to find I am still in the Rue de TUniversit^, and
that it has all been a horrible dream. The very smell of
the ship makes me feel ill. The cackling of the chickens
and the squealing of the pigs adds to the horrors I
know I will have to undergo. Lucien is now pea-green.
The weather very fine. Captain Rogers says we will
probably have fair winds and that we will make a quick
passage — ^I hope so. Frances has just come to me in
despair, her two canaries have been forgotten. We have
sent a man on shore to see if they can be found. Every-
thing is in such terrible confusion. A couple of the
King's couriers have just arrived with letters from his
Majesty, Monsieur and the Due d'Angoul^me — a more
than gracious act. Canaries founds Frances delighted.

JUNE 26: NEW YORK

We arrived here yesterday after a fast passage. The

heat is intolerable.

24S

PART V

THE SPECIAL MISSION TO ENGLAND

JULY mtl^— OCTOBER lOW

JULY 4: NEW YORK

A horrible day here; the noise of the July 4 celebration
intolerable. I have to rub my eyes to see if I am awake,
that it is true I am not in the Rue de rUniversit6. How
I regret it. Father is going alone to see the new house
in Western Virginia — also to Washington. I take mamma
and Frances to Baltimore to-morrow. We are stopping
right in the country at a nice old house which belongs
to the Montgomery family. But the difference in every-
thing; only about three private coaches in New York —
no means of getting about. The streets absolutely
filthy and the heat horrible. I have been nearly every
night for a long walk. No roads — no paths. I never
realized the absolutely unfinished state of the American
cities until I returned. The horrible chewing of tobacco —
the spitting; all too awful. We have had a charming
and hospitable reception, but all is so crude.

JULYS

We are now in Baltimore. Not quite so dirty as New
York. We are with mamma's relations — ^the Nicholsons.
They are kindness itself, but I even see that mamma
feels the change most keenly. The young men of Balti-
more stare at me as if they thought I were a wild beast
let loose. Everybody knows everybody else, and all

244

DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN [1828

call each other by their christian names. If I am offered
a post, no matter how humble, abroad, I will accept
it with joy.

JULY 1«: BALTIMORE

The heat is something I did not ever realize. We go in a
few days to some place by the sea. Frances has lost all
her colour. Albert has written me the most distressing
letter. It seems he compromised himself with a farmer's
daughter. They threatened him with exposure and he
was weak enough to marry her on May 23, when we
were at sea. He is afraid to tell father and begs me
not to do so. The girl is living with her family. I do
not know what to do. Troubles do not come singly.
It seems this girl is without education.

SEPTEMBER 10

Back again in Baltimore and most thankful. A horrible
place on the Eastern shore of Maryland called Sennox,
a wooden shanty to live in, food not so bad but we have
to eat like pigs. When we arrived and saw what it
was going to be like we commenced to laugh and we could
not stop ourselves. The poor people thought we must
be lunatics. Father has gone to his beloved Western
Virginia alone. Albert is there. He is going to report
to us how the beautiful new residence is progressing.
They tell me Baltimore is very cheerful in the winter. It
does not look much like it now. Mr. Patterson, Madame
Bonaparte's father, has kindly invited us to dinner,
fortunately the weather is much cooler. General Reubel
and his wife have just called. They are living with
Monsieur Pascault who has the beautiful daughter.

SEPTEMBER 22

I have seen Miss Pascault; Madame Bonaparte was
right. I have never seen anything more lovely. As
Madame Reubel has invited me to call I will certainly
take advantage of her invitation.

245

182S1 DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN

SEPTEMBER «4

I went this afternoon to Monsieur Pascault's* house, it
is the oldest house in Baltimore. Most beautiful iron
gates that he had sent from France, an air of refinement
about the interior that I have never seen out of France.
I was received by Madame Reubel, who is very hand-
some. She has a daughter and two sons; the youngest,
Frederic, is the handsomest young man I have ever seen.
He must be about seventeen. Mile Pascault was charming.
I am without doubt in love with her. Her father has
lost most of his money. Madame Reubel begged me
to sup with them to-morrow evening; quite sans fofon.
She wishes to present me to her father — ^he is very old.
Madame Pascault never appears.

SEPTEMBER 26

I am quite off my head. Monsieur Pascault, who is the
Marquis de Pol6on, is a gentleman of the old rSgime.
No wonder his daughter is so well bred. He received
me with the most wonderful courtesy — tapped a beautiful
gold snuff-box and offered it to me. The supper quite
simple but served on beautiful silver. Everything had
the air of the greatest refinement. I thought my-
self back in France again. I will speak to father to-
morrow and beg him to approach Monsieur Pascault —
with a view of my paying my addresses to his daughter.

SEPTEMBER 27

I have written to father, who is in New Geneva, telling
him that I wish, if she consents, to make Miss Pascault
my wife. Frances had a letter from him to-day which
is most amusing. He gives a description of the home.
The architect is some local man who never built a house

* Jean Charles Marie Louis Biscault, Marquis de Pol^n. His father
married a MUe Dupuy — daughter of a naval surgeon. It was considered
a mesalliance, and he was given a large estate in St. Domingo. He died
in 1706. His son escaped with his family during the massacre of St.
Domingo. As France was in such a disturbed state he sailed to Baltimore.

246

DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN [1828

before. He had no idea of Grecian architecture but a
style of hb own which is Hiberno-teutonic. The outside
is like a French barracks with port-hole windows, the
inside ornamentations like those of a Dutch tavern, so
that the French marble chinmey-pieces, mirrors and
papers which he sent out are rather out of place. The
workmen are still there and live and board in what
Lucien calls "The Chdteau." The approach to the house
is hidden by a log-cabin which is occupied by Monsieur,
Madame, Mile and the petits Bouff6 family. Albert
has taken possession of the only parlour in the old brick
house. This young gentleman has four guns, a pointer,
three boats, two riding horses, and a pet colt smaller than
a jackass. His wardrobe is distributed about the parlour.
A billiard-table with Albert's old stockings for pockets.
"So, my dear daughter," he adds, "we will pass the
winter in Baltimore." This is a respite for us. I am
delighted, for this will give me an opportunity for pressing
my suit with Miss Pascault. I am anxiously awaiting
father's answer to my letter. I know it would be wise.

SEPTEMBER 29

I have again called at Mr. Pascault's, and was received
most kindly. I had some conversation with Mile
Josephine; she is so absolutely gentle and sweet, I am
certain I am not good enough for her. We dine at the
Pattersons' again to-morrow. Madame Bonaparte has
written to her father to be most civil to us. Madame
Reubel and Mile Pascault are to be of the guests.

OCTOBER 25

Father has returned, and called yesterday on Monsieur
Pascault. He gave his consent to my paying addresses
to his daughter. Father was so kind, he said her want
of fortune should not stand in the way. Alluding to his
first marriage he added, "She had nothing, but we loved
each other." Mamma has been left a nice little fortune,

247

18«8] DIARY OP JAMES GALLATIN

80 we are now well off. Mr. Pascault has another daughter
married to a Mr. O'Donnell, the aon of a rich Indian nabob.
She was married when she was fifteen, and had a child
before she was sixteen. She is very beautiful like a full-
blown rose^ but seems to have but little brain or education.

NOVEMBER 2

My suit is progressing. Josephine likes to hear about

France. She plays delightfully both the harp and the

spinet. I talk all sorts of nonsense which all lovers do.

It has cheered her up as her youth has not been very

cheerful.

DECEMBER 6

All is settled. Mile Pascault has consented to be my wife
and we are to be married early in the New Year. Mamma
and Frances are delighted with her. She is so gentle and
innocent. Mamma says she is like a beautiful lily.
She is beautiful, there is no doubt about that. Madame
Reubel rather astonished me by appearing the other day
in a bright red wig. It seems she has wigs of every
colour to go with her frocks. A Bonaparte fashion and
not certainly adopted by the ladies of the Restoration,
as I never saw such a thing in Paris. General Reubel
is horrible, has not a penny in the world, stops in bed
nearly all day, and lives on Monsieur Pascault's bounty.
Does not attempt to do any work. His daughter will be
very handsome. A brother of Monsieur Pascault's lives
in a lodge at the gate but nobody ever speaks to him —
the reason I do not know.

DECEMBER 24: CHRISTMAS EVE
Madame Pascault insisted on our coming to them.
They all dine with us to-morrow. We have a very
good house in Charles Street for the winter. Father
will be much in Washington.

IMS

'■ \;.i OF JAMES GALLVriN

. .*-»ilotT. 1.-. I^t-; aiilt iia • aiH»t}.<'r lauphtrr

»•'- -i'*»'fi. '-'.<. is very i>raiiti?i«l l> • a *» 'x

••, Nit s<xr .- :< 'i^vf* biji little brain or \<:5U'HtMiu.

J pr '•- .I'-r^phine hkr^ to hfur altoiit

'. . \> :il''.ny b.»rh tl'^ harji n\ A ('•••

I !••! • .»?* M.>l:::f'r:M \. lii.p aH lovfrs ^!»

♦ "»**■ • */ ** ^^'-r youth h:!?> p'»t hc**n \>ry

• ' ' ' • ' itiH ha'^ ron^ente<l to be my ;vifo

'hi*! ' •• •. :«.«». ' ! -.'My ill tbe N« w ViMf. M!li«'.ja

i.n-'i * ; • .».<• ;-;•, *«,1 \^it:l 1;«t. SIu is >( gfMith- and

i'l'i^ • it *'ir.i-r:» " v .- s.|)(^ ;., Ij^^. ^ beautiful Ii!y.

>h« .. ''-"lUiii^!. I'i'."'- «' .i«# <J»);:bt al;i)Ut that. Ma^iaiu'^

i\^i M* I "-ythor jf *•' .1 i f ; n.f r^v a;>^jra]in? tlu* othtT day

"' a , bright r--! ^ /. Ic .'^f^'Ins ^ht' buh wigf* of t»v«T>

• J^iur t<'» \: ' ^'..\. -'.T :\'t.'ks. A Buii^^parn- fi»*h''>n ai:j

»' •* •-:•♦. 'i, lv\^>^i\rd by tb" !a.M'-s .-^f iia* l\<-i'-»ran*on.

. I * . - iw surli a iiiiriL' in Paris. Iiimutm! Kru^M-!

. hu.- iu»t a J)' 'in.v in ili'.* worl,!^ ^f^'p^ i»i b'l

.i.iy, itii'i ri.«*> .>'! M»n.-*itur I'as'ault's boiinry.

I atlori ;)t t.j <if »r\ vorU. lli.^ fi;*,uf;!.ter will 'n

:.''-n.iM*. A b • Mcr uf -\!' :..-•]•. ' r ra>cauK'> bv«\'

. . •«* i! ' L!.»r*' b- nv.f'iHiv evf-T i-pcak^: to him ■

■ . * ' .• !^' e i 0,1 onr ^M>'nb]C to thtm
'• v\nl' U' tn-ni.irr)w. Wt- )iavi» a vi ry
»• (!?.»••< :'^•^vT f»;r the winirr. ^iitber

DIARY OP JAMES GALLATIN [l8fB4

DECEMBER 81

To-night we all sup with Monsieur Pascault to see the
New Year in. It is father's first visit to the house. I
am anxious to see how he treats ReubeL

JANUARY «, 1824

The entertainment at Monsieur Pascault's was of the
greatest elegance. Father was much pleased and I
noticed his astonishment at the fine plate, also the
quantities of family portraits, &c. &c. I fear there is
going to be delay with regard to our marriage. Jose-
phine is a Catholic, and that is one thing father is adamant
about. He will not allow (if we have any children)
that they should be brought up in that religion.

JANUARY 5

Father was forced by his party, but much against his
will, to accept the candidature for the Vice-Presidency.
Mr. Crawford's stroke of paralysis required another
candidate. All this is most annoying. Father does not
wish to enter into public life again. When he left America
seven years ago, I believe he vowed never to return. He
has given the best part of his life and all his energies to his
adopted country; no one knows better than himself that
he is disliked, but that they still want to pick his brains
and make use of him. He goes to Washington to-night.

FEBRUARY 18

I had hoped to be married this month, but still this ques-
tion of religion. The Archbishop of Baltimore declines
to marry us if there is a Protestant ceremony.

MARCH 18

At last all is settled. Monsieur Pascault is disgusted
with the behaviour of the Archbishop, and has written
to him to the effect that he will entirely dispense with
the services of the Church of Rome, that his daughter

249

1824] DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN

will be married in the Protestant Church. He added
that a wife's first duty was to obey her husband.

MAY 5

We are back from our honeymoon and leave shortly
to join poor mamma at New Geneva. Father still in
Washington. The Archbishop has excommunicated
Monsieur Pascault.

MAY 10

The French Minister intimated to us that he has an
important package to deliver into one of our hands, or
accredited servants. As Lucien was returning here from
Washington, father sent him for it. Imagine my surprise
when I found it was addressed to me. It was from the
Due and Duchesse d'Angouldme — ^a most beautiful silver-
gilt vase with their arms on one side — a wedding present.
It was more than a surprise considering all they have
been through, on account of the King's death, to have
given me a thought. Josephine is delighted with it.
Monsieur Pascault was greatly overcome when he saw it.
I must consult father in what form to acknowledge it.
We go in a few days to try the new house at New Geneva.
It is all ready for our reception. In all events we will
pass the summer there. It is getting intolerably hot
here.

JUNE 8

We have been here for some time. The place itself is
delightful. The views superb. Air as pure as air can be,
but not a soul to speak to — not a neighbour, with the
exception of some totally uneducated farmers, their
wives and daughters. We are all here. Frances has a
pony. Josephine is not allowed to ride at present.
So I ride a huge farm-horse — who is as thin as a knife;
no roads, so we risk our lives every moment. Albert
sometimes rides in front of us, and when we are ap-

250

DIARY OP JAMES GALLATIN [IBM

proaching a dangerous spot he blows a horn. I wish some
of my Paris intimes could see us — how amused they
would be. Mamma attends to all our personal comforts.
We have many too many servants. Frances has named
it "Castle Solitude." Our greatest friends are the
mosquitoes, who certainly keep us company. Father
reads all day as he is compiling some work. It is too
hot for him to go to Washington at present. Mr. Craw-
ford is no better.

SEPTEMBER 20

Josephine and myself return to Baltimore shortly.
Monsieur Pascault is very ailing and they seem worried
about him. Our home is empty, so I think Josephine
will not suffer too much from the heat. There is a
rumour about a mission to France. I dare not think of
it. When we leave, Frances says she will take to her bed.
It is awful for her. I am certain mamma will not stand
the winter here. Father will have to be in Washington
on account of the elections.

OCTOBER 15

Greatly to the relief of us all, greatly to the relief of
father himself, he has been able to withdraw from the
candidature of Vice-President. It really was nothing
more than a hope of his party that should Mr. Crawford
have been elected President his health would have
obliged him to withdraw, and father would have been
head of the State. Of course his birth disqualified
him for standing for the Presidency, and this was the
only means of putting him in that position. Now they
are worrying him again with offers of the Treasury,
but I am certain he will not accept any post of any kind
or description. I had always heard Carrol-town, the seat
of the Carrolls, spoken of with almost awe as to its mag-
nificence. Josephine told me it was nonsense. So to
see it we went. I really could not help laughing.

251

1884] DIARY OP JAMES GALLATIN

Merely a square wooden house with a piazza all around it.
The interior most ordinary. It seems the original
Carroll, who called himself Carroll of Carrol-town, was
the natural child of somebody. This I fear is very much
the habit of the Americans of the Southern States —
vain boasting. They of course have large plantations
and slaves; but miserable houses, and live in the most
untidy manner. To my astonishment I hear there are
no schools in the Southern States and that all the children
of the better class have to be sent to the North to be
educated. Father has decided to remain with mamma,
Frances and Albert for the winter at New Geneva. Of
course I am obliged to remain in Baltimore.

DECEMBER 1824

My father-in-law is very ill and we are all in dose atten-
dance. Reubel found the air did not agree with him and
has betaken himself to New York, much to the relief
of all. Madame Reubel is a delightful woman and has
suffered much. To be here in Baltimore without money,
dependent on her friends, must be most galling to her,
having lived at Court all her life, and particularly at
the Court of Westphalia, where she was the first lady-in-
waiting on the Queen. She often describes to us the
splendours of the Palace at Cassel, which was built
by the Landgrave of Hesse in imitation of Versailles.
His son has it now and I believe the whole of his vast
fortune intact. When she was there and King Jerome
reigned, she says nothing could equal the extravagance
of living. She was not at all surprised at the West-
phalian troops being quite useless to Napoleon, as they
were never manoeuvred. All was a life of pleasure
there, from morning until night. We will have, I fear,
a sad Christmas. I am sorry for Josephine's sake.

DECEMBER 28

Monsieur Pascault has recovered wonderfully and insists

upon having a dinner of all the family on the 31st. He

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DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN [1826

says it will be his last year, and he wants to have them
all around him. I am sorry I will be away from my
father and mother, but my duty is by my wife. We
expect our child in the New Year.

FEBRUARY 7, 18«5

My dear wife was safely delivered of a fine boy this morn-
ing. We are going to call him Albert.

APRIL 15

Monsieur de Lafayette has arrived and has been received
with the greatest enthusiasm. His progress is a triumphal
one. His cause is the emancipation of the Spanish
Colonies and of Greece. Both of which are dear to the
hearts of Liberals of all nations. When in Paris father
received the thanks of the Greek Governor for his efforts
on their behalf. Now that I am on the subject it seems
so unfair that father was never allowed to accept an
order of any kind or to retain any of the superb presents
that were given to him — all of which are now in Wash-
ington. All that he did keep was a superb set of glass,
some eight hundred pieces, that the Emperor Alexander
gave him as a purely personal gift.

MAY 15

Father has just written to me that I must be present
at Uniontown to help him receive Lafayette, who is
going to stay a couple of nights with him at Friendship
Hill. So I am off to-morrow. Josephine is quite well
and so happy with her baby. I do not mind leaving her.

MAY 16

Detained until Thursday, as I have just received a list
of things which will be wanted by mamma for the 25th:
it is a mile long.

MAY«7

The meeting at Uniontown and the reception of
Monsieur de Lafayette far surpassed anything I have

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ever seen in this country. People came from miles
away and camped out, bringing their tents. Lafayette
is the nation's guest so was surrounded by a huge mounted
bodyguard. He spoke just after father had intro-
duced him. Father spoke after him and I really think
he must have been inspired. His French accent seemed
to leave him as he became excited. The subject was
the critical position of the Greeks. He must have in-
spired his audience, as I have never heard such an out-
burst of genuine enthusiasm and cheering; it lasted
quite half an hour. Monsieur de Lafayette embraced
him publicly. We returned to Friendship Hill and
quite a thousand sat down to supper in relays. Mamma
had arranged everything wonderfully, rows and rows of
tables in the garden. Hundreds of niggers all dressed
in white to serve. Yesterday we passed in comparative
quiet, but there were callers all day for Monsieur de
Lafayette. We had a quiet dinner which Monsieur de
Lafayette said reminded him of the Rue de TUniversitfi.
I do not think he was the only one who was reminded
of it. He left this morning as he has a prolonged tour
to make and a very short time to make it in. I go back
to-morrow to bring Josephine and my son here for the
summer.

JUNE 20: FRIENDSHIP HILL

We are all very happy here. The country is beautiful and
mamma certainly has the art of making everybody
comfortable. Josephine is delicate but loves the good
air here, particularly for our boy who is growing apace.
Father worships him at a distance. A few days since
I told father for the first time of Mr. Adams' letter to me
of February last. I had written privately to Mr. Adams
informing him of father's reasons for refusing the
Treasury under his administration. Father has always
been above suspicion and I may frankly say (although
he is my father) that he is the only one of either party

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DIARY OP JAMES GALLATIN [1826

who has not fallen into some error which has cast
suspicion on their motives. This Mr. Adams frankly
acknowledges in his letter to me. When I read this
paragraph I could see father's evident gratification
at the opinion held of him by a political opponent — and
that opponent the actual President of the United States.
We drifted into reminiscences of Paris. Father's heart
is there and in Geneva, but only stern duty keeps him
here.

AUGUST

Father at last acknowledges that he made a mistake in
building this house, and that we will never inhabit it
after this summer. He has commissioned me to find a
house in Baltimore for the winter as it is quite near
enough to Washington for him in case he is obliged to go
there. I was much gratified at receiving a beautiful
silver bowl from some of my friends in Paris for my son.
Albertine de Stael sent the most beautiful baby clothes.
The first clothes my boy wore were those of Napoleon.
The Queen of Westphalia gave them to Madame Reubel
when her boy was bom, and she gave them to Josephine.
He still wears the little dressing-gown that was made by
Madame Mhre.

MAY 1826

I cannot realize what has happened. We are actually
going to England. Mr. Rufus King's (our Minister in
London) health has broken down. Most important
matters have to be negotiated. The President has
begged fatfier to take his place. He has accepted but
on the condition that he goes on a special mission and
not as a resident Minister; that he is at liberty to return
in a year; that an ample sum is to be put at his disposal,
as he knows that outward show has a great effect on the
English people. This has all been agreed to privately.
These are the most important negotiations and can only

18861 DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN

be placed in the hands of a very strong man. The
whole of the commercial questions to be finally settled.
The most important are the North-Eastern and North-
western Boundary questions. Also the Commercial
Convention which father negotiated in 1815 in London,
and again in 1818 to last ten years.

MAY 2^

I am torn both ways. I know I could be of the greatest
use to father. It is impossible to take our child at his
age across the ocean, as the discomforts, particularly
where food is concerned, are so great. Josephine is
quite willing for me to go, in fact urges me to do so. I
will leave the matter entirely in father's hands.

JUNE 7

It is finally decided I am to accompany father, but only
for six months should I be wanted at home. For many
reasons this is thought to be for the best. As now
arranged we sail on July 1. I am doing all I can to pro-
vide for more comfort for the voyage. I often wonder
how father has stood so many of these disagreeable
crossings of the Atlantic. The horrible cramped feeling.
The misery of a gale when we can barely crawl about,
and the absolute horrors of a fog. We are to take a very
southerly course this time. Both father and mother are
very much annoyed. At the last moment an applica*
tion was made to father asking him to take a Miss Bates
to England. It seems she is to marry a M6nsieur Van
der Weyer, a Belgian avocat. The latter made him-
self very useful to Prince Leopold, the husband of Prin-
cess Charlotte. None of us know or ever heard of the
Bates family; they are very rich and extremely vulgar.
Father could not refuse.

AUGUST: LONDON

We sailed on July 1, and arrived here a few days since.
We have a beautiful house in Seymour Street.

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DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN [18«6

I have seen to the carriages and horses, all jobbed but
very fine.

AUGUST 20

The King received us last week and was most gracious.
But what a change since I last saw him. He b fat,
very red in the face and unwieldy.

SEPTEMBER

As nearly the entire Cabinet had left London, including
Mr. Canning, father thought it a good opportunity to
pay a visit to Paris. He particularly wished to consult
Pozzo di Borgo on several very important matters.
He finds that Bonapartism is nearly extinct. He found
Monsieur de Lafayette in a far more peaceful frame
of mind than when he paid his visit to America. He
spoke to him in the most forcible language of his love of
petty plotting. He seems now to realize that such
things are futile. His one wish now is to see the Due
d'0rl6ans on the throne as a constitutional Monarch.
I fear this is in the dim future. Lafayette is strongly
in favour of the Duke's disputing the legitimacy of
the Due de Bordeaux. We had an interview with
Monsieur de Vildlle, who seems much annoyed with
the President's message, particularly with regard to
Hayti. I do not think father gave him much satisfac-
tion. A funny incident I must record. When we
crossed to Boulogne mamma had to dress on board for a
reception at that port, which was being given to Monsieur
de Lafayette. On our arrival it was low tide and as is
the custom fishermen came out to the pacquet in shallow
water to carry us to the shore — fisherwomen for the
ladies. Mamma was mounted on the back of a fat
Boulognese. Not thinking the woman was going fast
enough she prodded her with her heels. The woman
lost her temper and dropped mamma in about a foot of
water. We could not help laughing to see her sitting

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18«6] DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN

up to her waist in water. She was in red velvet with a
huge turban covered with white feathers. The more we
laughed the more enraged she became. At last she was
rescued and carried, dripping, ashore. She had to be taken
at once to an inn and dried. She will never forgive us.
I find Paris delightful, but few of our friends here as all
are at their ch&teaux or by the sea. I visited all my old
haunts and have registered a vow that the moment I am
in a position to do so I will return here to live and die.

OCTOBER: LONDON

We have now returned here and are seriously at work,

and plenty of it.*

ALBERT GALLATIN to J. Q. ADAMS

London, October 18, 1826
Dear Sib,

I had intended next spring, before my return to
America, to have an excursion to Paris once more to see
some of my friends. Mr. Canning's absence and the
dispersion of the other members of the Cabinet having
left me literally without anything to do here, I em-
braced what was the most favourable opportunity of
making that journey, from which I have just returned.
My letter of yesterday to the Secretary of State contains
the substance of the information I was able to collect
there; and I will now add some particulars which, as
they involve the names of individuals, I did not wish to
remain on record in the Department of State.

In the course of a long conversation with Pozzo di
Borgo the state of our relations with Great Britain was
alluded to. I told him that the Emperor's decision in
the case of slaves carried away and the convention
relative thereto had not been carried into effect by Great
Britain in conformity with what we considered their

* James Gallatin went to America in 1826 and returned to London in
March, 1827.

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DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN [1826

real intention and meaning; that the British Govern-
ment had offered to compromise the matter by payment
of a sum of money which fell short of our expectations;
but that we were nevertheless inclined to accept it,
principally on account of the reluctance we felt to trouble
the Emperor by an appeal, asking from him further
explanation of his decision. Pozzo immediately ex-
pressed his wish that we might compromise or other-
wise adjust the matter without making such an appeal,
which, particularly at this time, would be, as-he thought,
extremely inconvenient to the Emperor; and speaking
of the Maine Boundary question, with which and its
possible consequences he appeared well acquainted,
he appeared also desirous, though he did not express
himself as positively as on that of slaves, that Russia
should not be selected as the umpire. I only observed
that if there was any inconvenience in being obliged
to make decisions which might not please both parties,
that inconvenience was less to Russia than to any other
Power, and that a compensation for it was found in the
additional degree of consideration accruing to the Monarch
in whom such confidence was placed. All this, however,
corroborates what I have stated in my official letter
respecting an approximation between Russia and Great
Britain, and the disposition of the Emperor to interfere
less than his predecessor in affairs in which he has no
immediate interest.

The most remarkable change discoverable to France
is the extinction of Bonapartism, both as relates to
dynasty and to the wish of a military Government.
This, I am* happy to say, appears to have had a favour-
able effect on our friend Lafayette, who was very un-
governable in all that related to petty plots during my
residence at Paris as Minister, and to whom I had again
spoken on the same subject in the most forcible manner
whilst he was in America. His opinions and feelings are
not changed; but he appears to be thoroughly satisfied

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of the hopelessness of any attempt to produce a change
at present; and he confines his hopes to a vague expec-
tation that, after the death of the present King and
of the Dauphin, the Due d'0rl6ans will dispute the
legitimacy of the Duke of Bordeaux and become a
constitutional King. This is such a doubtful and distant
contingency as is not likely to involve Lafayette in any
difficulties. Mr. de Villdle complained to me of those
expressions in the President's message which declared
Hayti to have placed herself in a state of vassalage to
France, as calculated to increase the dissatisfaction
amongst the people of the island at the late arrangement.
He said that he was aware of the objections of a very
different nature which we had to a recognition of the inde-
pendence of Hayti, but did not see the necessity of alleging
the reason alluded to. As I did not wish and did not
think it at all proper to enter into any discussion of the
subject, I answered, as if in jest, "Qu'un trUmt, impost
h une colonie comme le prix de son indSpendance, itait
cofUraire aux grands principes." I forgot to mention
the circumstance to Mr. Brown, and do not know whether
the thing had already been complained of to him. If so,
its being repeated to me — and they were almost the
first words Mr. de Vill^le addressed to me — shows that
it must have made a deep impression on the French
Government. This reminds me that I received here a
communication from a respectable quarter stating that,
a few days before the publication of the order in council
of July last, one of the King's Ministers had complained
to a confidential friend of the general tone of the American
(United States) diplomacy towards England, still more
so as respected manner than matter, and added that it
was time to show that this was felt and resented. As to
manner, the reproach cannot certainly attach either
to Mr. Rush's or Mr. King's correspondence; and I know,
from a conversation with Mr. Addington, that in that
respect Mr. Clay's has been quite acceptable. On looking

£60

DIARY OP JAMES GALLATIN [18«6

at your own communicationsi I am satisfied that those
to the British Ministers can have given no offence what-
ever, and that what they allude to and which has offended
them is your instructions to Mr. Rush, printed by order
of the Senate, and which have been transmitted both to
Mr. Canning and to Mr. Huskisson; a circumstance,
by the by, not very favourable to negotiations still pend-
ing. That they have no right to complain of what you
wrote to our own Minister is obvious; still, I think the
fact to be so.

I forgot to mention in my letter of yesterday to the
Secretary of State that there is some alarm amongst
the legitimates about a plan of Metternich to change
the line of succession in Austria, or a plea of the pre-
sumed incapacity of the heir presumptive; and that the
King of the Netherlands has at last, by his unabated and
exclusive attention to business and by his perfect probity
and sincerity, so far conquered the prejudices of the
Belgians as to have become highly respected and almost
popular amongst them.

I have the honour, &c.,

Albert Gallatin
NOVEMBER 14

Yesterday the Convention of 1818 was renewed and
signed; a meeting again to-morrow. Mr. King left
yesterday. Mr. Lawrence is expected to-day.

DECEMBER

Father is anxious that the Emperor of Russia should
act as arbiter on the North-Eastern Boundary question,
but Prince lieven thinks it will not be convenient for
him to do so.

DECEMBER

Frances is enjoying herself amazingly and is I think a great
favourite. She is at. present paying some visits in the
country with mamma. The Marchioness of Stafford has

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1826] DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN

been most gracious. She has bidden us all to Trentham
in January. They say it is a most magnificent palace,
and that wonderful state is kept up. The Duke of
Devonshire, whom we knew in 1818, has been most atten-
tive. He is not married and never will. It seems he is

the son of the Duke : that at nearly the same time

the Duchess had a daughter, the Duke's mistress had a
son — as they were most anxious for an heir the babies
were changed. For a long time the deception was kept
up, but somebody in the end confessed. This Duke
was then in possession of the title; as he was so much
beloved it was agreed that he should retain all his honours
but that he was never to marry.

The Barings were most cordial in their greetings to
us. We dine with them on Christmas Day. At times I
feel very low in my mind and feel that after all I should
not have left my dear wife and child. I was torn both
ways. It seems to take such an unconscionable time to
receive any news from home. The King goes openly
everywhere with Lady Conyngham. Scandal says she is
getting all the money and property that she can for her
children, before the King dies. She wore the other night
at Princess Lieven's all the Crown Sapphires. They say
the King has given them to her.

DECEMBER 15

There is not much entertaining. The King is at Brighton.
I met Mr. Greville* the other night. He is Clerk of the
Council. I was. amused to see him making notes of the
different things I told him. Rather a pedantic person.
Princess Lieven is the Ambassador: Prince Lieven is
absolutely a nonentity. Lord Goderich is always the
same delightful gentleman, it is a pleasure to meet him.
Lord Grey I suppose means to be civil, but his manners
are not what they should be. Mr. Canning is always

* Charles Greville, author of Journals of the reigns of George IV and
William IV.

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DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN [1826

most gracious to father, who likes him very much but
does not think him a very strong man. Lady Wellesley
(Mrs. Robert Patterson*) has been in London. We dined
with her. Of course now she is a very great lady, and
does not forget it. She has asked me to come to Dublin
after Christmas. She says I will be much amused at
Dublin society and the Viceregal Court. I will certainly
go if there is not too much work here. There is that
horrible Irish Channel to be considered and the very long
journey. Mamma arrives to-morrow. We have to
entertain some Americans, there are a great many in
London at present. Father has declined to present
any at Court. He is not resident Minister only a special
Ambassador.

I ride every day as I fear I am getting fat; Mrs. Baring
has just told mamma that she has invited every available
member of the Baring family to her Christmas dinner.
We are to be the only outsiders.

DECEMBER 20

Looked in at White's. All intent on gambling. While
I was there a sum of £8000 changed hands. Had some
supper; a thick fog, had to have a link man to show
me the way home.

DECEMBER 21

Dined at a large Diplomatic dinner at Prince Jules de
Polignac's at the French Embassy; all men — we sat
down thirty-six. I was delighted to meet Montmorency;
we had a good talk over our old days in Paris. He says
things are much changed now, and that the King is
much disliked. Our successors are not at all well re-
ceived and do not entertain at all. After dinner, Mont-

*Mrs. Robert Pattereon, widow of Robert FktterBon, who was a
brother of Madame Bonaparte Patterson, married, some years after the
death of her husband, the Marquis of Wellesley, Lord Lieutenant of
L*eland, elder brother of the Duke of Welb'ngton.

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I8«8l DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN

morency and I went for a short time to White's and had
supper late. London unutterably dull. Mamma is
very happy as she has a perfect riot of churches to go to.
It will be gayer after Christmas, but only among the
Corps Diplomatique. We are booked for several visits.
I was delighted with a long letter from my dear wife.
All are well and seem very happy. Father will have
to have some sort of reception for the Americans in the
New Year. We really make quite a show. We are
using all our old French State liveries — which are per-
fectly fresh.

DECEMBER M

We had a delightful Christmas with the Barings, who
are hospitality itself. There are Barings of all shapes and
colours, all sizes — ^tall ones, short ones, lean ones, fat
ones, but all are so nice and cheerful; they seem indeed
a united family. We played aU sorts of silly games
and became children again. I could not keep my thoughts
from home. Mr. Baring would drink my wife and bo/s
health, this nearly broke me up.
We have a big reception of Americans on January 2.

DECEMBER 89

Driving home late last night near the top of Park Lane,
we heard cries for help. I jumped down and found a
hackney-coach which had been stopped by footpads.
Two lonely females were in it. They had stunned the
jarvey. I at once escorted them to our coach and we
drove them home. They lived quite close to us. A
Lady Lucy and her daughter. We had just come upon
them in the nick of time and had disturbed the robbers.
We never go out at night without at least two footmen
and generally father's chasseur as well. It is extra-
ordinary how unsafe London is at night, and in the very
best quarters.

264

DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN II8IW

DECEMBER 80

Rumours of a change in the Cabinet, but nothing definite.
The King comes to Buckingham House in a few days.
There is a report that Lord Liverpool is ill — not con-
firmed. • • •

JANUARY 8, 18«7

The "rout*' for all of our compatriots last night was as
successful as any "rout*' can be; to be several hours
sitting in a coach before arriving at the door of one's
destination; then to crawl up about three or four steps
every half-hour; to be stifled and toes trodden upon;
to make a bow to your hosts; to edge one's way through
the crowd; to drink hot champagne and secure an ice
down one's back. Then to start one's journey back
again. If this spells pleasure, then a "rout" is pleasant.
We indeed take our pleasures oddly.
" Crockf ord's/' the magnificent new gambling-hell in St.
James's Street, was opened yesterday. Pozzo di Borgo,
Prince Esterhazy, the Duke of Wellington, Talleyrand,
&c. &c., all belong to it. Pozzo took me under his wing.
It was very fine. Supper lavish. It is to be the fashion-
able gambling resort of the aristocracy.

JANUARY 6

The Duke of York died yesterday quietly seated in an
arm-chair. This of course puts the Court into deep
mourning. They say he never recovered from the
shock of the Duchess of Rutland's death — his mistress.
She induced him to build that huge palace in the Mall
called York House. He incurred huge debts. I only
saw him once or twice in 1818. He was a great contrast
to the then Prince Regent — coarse and very loud in
his manners; a viveur in every sense of the word. He
had the reputation of being a most loyal friend, and never
forsook anybody who was in trouble. Peace to his

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1827] DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN

ashes I I will have to go to the funeral as father's health
does not permit him to attend such ceremonies.

JANUARYS)

We have had some difficulty with our coachman. He
committed an assault outside the Embassy but took
refuge when they were about to arrest him in the Embassy.
Of course no officers of the law can enter an Embassy.
Father was informed of the matter. He inquired into
the facts of the case and absolutely refused to give the
man up. It has caused a good deal of correspondence
and the matter is not yet closed.

Our visit to Trentham was a great success. It is a
palace indeed, and such magnificence I have never seen
outside a royal residence, either here, in France, or
in Russia. Lady Stafford received us in her usual
dignified and gracious manner. She has always liked
father, I believe, because Madame de Stael was so fond
of him, and she had a cult for her. My room
was quite beautiful, looking out on a fine sheet
of water. In summer it must be perfectly beautiful.
Then it stands empty as all the family come up to Lon-
don. The reception rootns, state rooms, &c. &c.,
beggar description, full of superb works of art. We
were sixty guests, a large portion of the Corps Diploma-
tique and Mr. Canning. Great ceremony for dinner,
but the rest of the day we were allowed to do exactly
as we chose. Horses to ride, coaches of all sorts at
our disposal. Dancing and music in the evening. I
thoroughly enjoyed it. So did Frances.

JANUARY «5

We are going on apace with the negotiations for the
absolutely final settlement of the Commercial Treaty.
Of course delays are inevitable in so important a matter.
Lord Liverpool has seemed very odd in his manner
lately as if he were half dazed. Walked in the Mall

266

DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN 11827

this morning with Frances, the inevitable footman fol-
lowing us. Lord Cassillis called to-day with his charm-
ing wife; she was a daughter of Mr. and Lady Mary Watts.
Lady Mary was brought up in America as she and her
sister. Lady Cathrine Duer, were the daughters of Lord
Stirling. Mamma had known them well.

FEBRUARY

There is a Cabinet crisis which has kept everything
at a standstill — very annoying. We dined with the
Duke of Devonshire yesterday, at his house in Piccadilly.
He is a most gracious host. Snappy Charles Greville,
always asking questions and taking notes, was there.
A book called "Vivian Grey," published by Colburn
and immensely puffed, appeared last year. There were
many surmises as to who the author was. Great
names were mentioned and there was much speculation
on the matter. It now turns out to be by a quite
unknown youth called Disraeli, a Jew. Greville had the
audacity to say that he knew who the author was from
the first. Father thought well of the book. Lady
Conyngham appears in the depth of mourning for the
Duke of York. This causes much amusement. I do not
think we will remain here much longer. I am most
anxious to return home.

Father is really despondent, everything goes at a snail's
pace. Mr. Adams after promising him an absolutely
free hand is evidently irritated by Mr. Clay's continual
interference and also influenced by him. Father looks
upon Mr. Clay as simply an obstinate firebrand who is
not capable of grasping or dealing with a subject without
prejudice. The present negotiations are of a most delicate
nature and have to be treated as such. Here it seems
the custom for statesmen to conceal the truth. In
France they do not pretend to tell the truth. The
President has written a private letter to father begging
him to remain in England. It is flattering to his vanity,

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but he has none. He is determined after this mission
is fulfilled to give up political life altogether.

FEBRUARY 28

Lord Liverpool had a stroke on the 17th, and died yester-
day. Father does not think this will make any difference.
He hopes that Mr. Canning will not be Prime Minister.
It will be some time before anything definite is decided.

MARCH

We seem to be slowly creeping toward the end. Patience
is the only thing and we want a sack full of it. Supped
at Crockf ord's last night. Talleyrand was opposite to me
and looked more like an ape than ever. The absolute
silence of the gambling-rooms is extraordinary. I cannot
realize the passion for gambling. I suppose it is a disease,
like everything else. Father has little dinners of his
beloved cronies, Humboldt, Pozzo di Borgo, Baring, &c.
I really enjoy their delightful conversation — ^their
contempt for the world amuses me.

MARCH

The weather, which has been dreadful, is a little better.
No entertaining to speak of. Desperately dull. I am
glad I have plenty of work to do. Mr. Lawrence seems
very capable and father is much pleased with him.

APRIL 10

Mr. Canning is now Prime Minister. It seems to have
put him into a good temper and he is far more gracious,
although his temper at times is very trying. Father,
much to his disgust, has been summoned by the King
to Brighton — I go with him.

APRIL 15

We only stopped one night at Brighton. Rooms had been
prepared for us at a house close to the Pavilion, which

£68

DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN [1827

the King keeps for his guests. We were received by
his Majesty, who was lying on a divan — he could hardly
hold himself up. Lady Conyngham was present at
first, but at a nod from the King, retired. She looks
as if she had something of a temper. The King spoke
on several political subjects, and for a wonder with great
lucidity. He said suddenly, ''Canning is a damned
old woman.*' We were bid to sup with the Royal circle.
I could see that father could hardly dissemble his disgust.
The conversation was boisterous and indecent. Cards
after supper, and on a plea of being very fatigued father
begged leave to retire. He and I went for a walk by the
sea. The only remark he made was, ''And that is a
King.'' We left in the morning without seeing His
Majesty.

APRIL 24

Mr. Canning's temper has become most uncertain. At
dinner last night father was sitting next to Baron Hum-
boldt; after dinner, Mr. Canning came up to father and
said, "The opinion universally entertained abroad and
generally in England is that the Government is an aris-
tocracy — it is not, it is a monarchy." Both father and
Baron Humboldt were much surprised at this extra-
ordinary outburst. They could not explain it. Some
of the gentlemen sitting near, too, heard this remark
and seemed much astonished. Later on the Duke of
Wellington had a chair brought and placed between
father and Humboldt. He made himself most agreeable,
but seemed worried about something. He suddenly
said, "Do you find anything odd in Mr. Canning's
manner?"

ALBERT GALLATIN to HENRY CLAY

London, April 28, 1827
... At the dinner of the 23rd, Mr. Canning came near
Baron Humboldt and me and told us, "You see that

269

18271 DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN

the opinion universally entertained abroad, and very
generally indeed in England, that this Government b
an aristocracy, is not true. It is/' said he emphatically,
''a monarchy. The Whigs had found it out in 1784,
when they tried to oppose the King's prerogative of
choosing his Prime Minister. The Tories have now re-
peated the same experiment, and with no greater success."
He appears certainly very confident, and speaks of any
intended opposition in Parliament as if he had no fear
of it. As all the leading newspapers are in his favour,
I enclose the only pamphlet of note that has appeared
on the other side.

An infusion of Whigg^sm in the Ministry, by the
accession of such a man as the Marquis of Lansdowne,
might perhaps, after a while, have produced some favour-
able change in the policy of the Administration towards
the United States. For the present, none can be ex-
pected. I do not believe that there is a single question
between us in which the Ministers will not be supported
by the public opinion of the country in taking rank
ground against us. Our dependence for friendly arrange-
ments rests solely on the superior sense of the Ministers.
Unfortunately Mr. Huskisson * is less favourably disposed
towards the United States, principally on the commercial
subjects, than towards any other country. And, having
to meet in other respects a formidable opposition to his
plans, he may be disposed to regain some popularity
with the shipping interest to pursuing with the United
States measures inconsistent with his avowed general
principles on that subject. If there is any reaction
as relates to us, it must come from the West Indies, and
perhaps, at last, from the manufacturing interests.

I have been compelled to remain perfectly quiet for
the last months; but now that a temporary Adminis-
tration is formed, which will last at least as long as this

*WilliAm Huskisson, Colonial Secretary 1827, responsible for the
repeal of the Navigation laws.

270

DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN [1827

session of Parliament, I will ascertain in the course of
next week whether it is intended that our negotiations
should be resumed. Mr. Canning, on the 23rd, again
expressed great regret that they should have been so
long interrupted, and intimated his intention of having,
within a few days, a special conversation with me.
I have the honour, and &c.,

Albert Gallatin
MAY

People are returning to London, and it promises to be a
very gay season. Already we have several invitations,
but we are here for too short a time to make really any
friends. The Court returns to Buckingham House in
June, but there will not be any Court entertainments,
which is a relief. London is looking her best now;
the Park is gay with flowers. I ride out to Kew and Rich-
mond in the early morning — before anybody is stirring.
Lady Kensington has been most kind to mamma and
Frances. Miss Edwards and the latter are inseparable.
I go sometimes to Holland House, which is very beautiful.

JUNE

Took Frances to Kew Gardens this afternoon. Flowers
and plants beautiful. Dinner at the French Embassy.
Glad to see some of my old Paris friends. Mr. Canning
more and more odd in his manner. Lord Goderich
had a long interview with father this morning.

JUNE 4

Took Frances to Eton for the 4th of June. A fine com-
pany, a very charming sight. The procession of boats
delightful and very English. We are stopping at the
White Hart Inn, directly opposite the Castle. Lady
Kensington, her son and daughter, are of our party.

JUNE 10

Matters are going on very well, and father has great
hopes of a speedy settlement. A splendid banquet

871

18271 DIARY OP JAMES GALLATIN

at the Duke of Wellington's last night. A wonderful
display of gold plate. A rout at Lady Lansdowne's.
It took me exactly one hour to get from the top to the
bottom of the stairs. I was wedged between Charles
Greville and an immensely fat Dowager. We all three
moved step by step together — and this is called pleasure.
Dinner at Devonshire House to-night. The Court is At
Buckingham House, but no entertaining.

JUNE 15

Frances has just come in from a walk in the Mall. She
made us guess whom she met — fat Miss Bates whom we
brought from America with us. The King was in a
wheeled chair; Lady Conyngham walking along side of
him. The weather intolerably hot. Good news from
home. All are well. Plenty of work for me to-night.

JULY

Work, work, work, nothing but work, copying dispatches,
preparing drafts of treaty, only to be torn up and new
ones made. Weather intolerably hot. I will be glad
when all is signed and sealed and we can have a little
breathing time. Mamma and Frances in their element
as they are dining out every night, and routs and balb
following. Mrs. Baring is most assiduous in her atten-
tions and insists on chaperoning Frances when mamma
is tired.

AUGUST

Bad rumours of Mr. Canning's health; some say he

cannot possibly live.

AUGUST 10

Mr. Canning died on the 8th. Lord Goderich, much to
father's delight, is Prime Minister. All will now be
plain sailing. When this treaty is signed it will be a
final and we hope a lasting one. Certainly nothing

S7£

DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN [1827

has been left to chance, every detail has been discussed,
assuring peace for years to come.

ALBERT GALLATIN to HENRY CLAY

LoNDOK, AvguH 14, 1827
Sib,

It is now understood that the new Administration of
this country is to be but a continuation of that of Mr. Can-
ning, to act on the same principles, and no new appoint-
ments to be made but those that are strictly necessary.

Lord Goderich is First Lord of the Treasury. Lord
Harrowby, President of the Council, retires from office,
principally on account of a domestic affliction. Marquis
Lansdowne, Lord Dudley, and the other Ministers,
with the exception perhaps of Mr. Huskisson, remain in
their respective offices. The Duke of Wellington may
resume his place of Commander-in-Chief, but without a
seat in the Cabinet, which he could not with propriety
have accepted, since his fellow-seceders were excluded.
Mr. Peel, and this is the greatest loss to the Administra-
tion, cannot at this time come in, having so lately com-
mitted himself by his solemn declaration that his reason
for resigning was that he could not make part of an
Administration at the head of which was a friend to
Catholic emancipation.

The places to be fflled are: (1) the President of the
Council; and I have not heard who is intended, perhaps
the Duke of Portland; (2) Colonial Department, vacant
by Lord Goderich's promotion; (3) Chancellor of the Ex-
chequer, an office which as a peer he cannot fill. It is
probable that the option of these two places will be given
to Mr. Huskisson, now on the Continent, where he was
to remain three months, but whom the late event will
probably bring back. The last place is that for which
he is best qualified, and to which he is called by public
opinion — but his precarious health will probably induce
him to take the Colonial Department, as less laborious

878

18271 DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN

and, above all, as requiring less public speaking. In
that case Mr. Herries, the principal Under-Secretary
of the Treasury, and a capable man, but without political
influence, will probably be the Chancellor, though Lord
Palmerston is also spoken of; and Mr. Grant, now
Vice-President, will naturally become President of the
Board of Trade.

The great difficulty is who shall succeed Mr. Canning
as leader of the House of Commons. Mr. Peel, who
would have more of their confidence than any other man,
is out of the question; and all that can be hoped is that,
agreeing on almost every subject but that of the Catholic
emancipation with the members of the Cabinet, he
will not become the leader of an opposition. \^^thout
him there hardly can be one in the House of Commons;
and the return of the Duke of Wellington to the command
of the Army would go far to paralyse that in the House
of Lords, whilst it would add to the weight of the
Administration abroad. Mr. Brougham is undoubtedly
the first man in the House of Commons, superior to Mr.
Canning in force and logic, at least equal in sarcastic
powers, far more consistent in his political opinions;
but these are much too rank for the House, and, perhaps
for the nation. Not even a moderate Whig would do
for the present, and Mr. Brougham is, besides too harsh,
better calculated to drive than to lead. Mr. Huskisson
is, therefore, the only man; and he is accordingly looked
on and intended as the Ministerial leader in the House.

This place, for it is one united to the superiority of
his talents and energy over his colleagues, would make
him in reality almost Prime Minister, if he was not
rather a sensible than an eloquent speaker, and if
it was not that he must govern through at least two of
his associates — Lord Goderich, who besides all the patron-
age of his office, must be considered as the head of the
moderate Tory Party, and Marquis Lansdowne, who is
the head of almost the whole Whig Party; both also
greatly and justly respected, and men of sound judg-

274

DIARY OF JAMES GALLATIN [1827

ment and solids if not showy, talents. Power will be
more divided than under Mr. Canning. I think that the
influence of Marquis Lansdowne would be greater if
he could be transferred to the Foreign Office. As matters
now stand# the great political questions will be decided
by the Cabinet. Mr. Huskisson will have more weight
in those affecting the finances of the country; he will
direct almost exclusively (with the exception of the corn
question) the commercial regulations, whether interior
or in their connexion with foreign relations.

There will, therefore, be no change in the policy of
Great Britain towards us. The question of Colonial inter-
course was decided almost entirely by Mr. Huskisson's
influence. He adheres to that decision, and immediately
before leaving the country again committed himself in
that respect by positive assurance to merchants interested
in the subject. All the difficulties in renewing the com-
mercial convention, and the determination not to renew
it unless it might be rescinded at will, also originated
with him. He has an undue and not very liberal jealousy
of the increasing navigation of the United States. In
other respects he cannot be said to be hostile to them;
and he would wish that causes of actual rupture might
be removed. I have reason to believe that he would be
in favour of a satisfactory arrangement on the subject
of impressment.

His views in regard of the country west of the Rocky
Mountains are, on the whole, temperate, and the diffi-
culties on the subject of the North-East Boundary cannot
be ascribed to him. Whether his reign will last is ex-
tremely doubtful, his general health is precarious, and
he has an organic affection of the throat, so serious
that he never made a long speech during the last session
of Parliament without experiencing a relapse.

The present Administration will, at all events, last till
after the next meeting of Parliament in January, and
will probably become permanent if not disturbed by
untoward events. The critical situation of affairs in

276

1842] DIARY OP JAMES GALLATIN

Portugal is at this moment the principal cause of
embarrassment.

I have the honour to be respectfully, sir.

Your most obedient servant,
Albert Gallatin
AUGUST 16

A treaty was signed to-day which continues the Com-
mercial Convention of 1815 indefinitely. All is now
entirely satisfactorily settled and we return at once to
America.

SEPTEMBER

London empty. We have to go to Brighton to take formal
leave of his Majesty. We sail on October 9. All
left now for us to do is to settle our domestic affairs.
Mamma and Frances are paying some farewell visits in
the country. Father is serenely content and believes
there will be peace for many years between Great Britain
and the United States.

OCTOBEB 9: IIVEBPOOL

We embark to-morrow morning. The weather very bad.
It is a bad season of the year but we must take our chance.
Mr. Lawrence and Mr. Baring have accompanied us
here — most kind of the latter. I leave with some regret,
but long to see my dear wife and child. Now for a new
life in the New World.

ThefaUowing kUerfrom Lord AMwrion to Albert GaUaiinf i
hejcfn the laUer'M death, is of interest as showing at once the friendly Jed-
ing between America and England which was the fruii of his labovrs, and
also the greai seteem in which he himself was held.

LOBD ASHBUBTON to ALBERT GALLATIN

Washington, A^tril 12, 1842
Deab Mr. Gallatin,

My first destination was to approach America
through New York, but the winds decided otherwise,

276

DIARY OP JAMES GALLATIN [18«

and I was landed at Annapolis. In one respect only this
was a disappointment, and a serious one. I should have
much wishai to seek you out in your retreat to renew
an old and highly valued acquaintance, and I believe
and hope I may add, friendship; to talk over with you
the Old and New World, their follies and their wisdom,
their present and bygone actors, all of which nobody
understands so well as you do, and, what is more rare,
nobody that has crossed my passage in life has appeared
to me to judge with the same candid impartiality. This
pleasure of meeting you is, I trust, only deferred. I shall,
if I live to accomplish my work here, certainly not
leave the country without an attempt to find you out
and to draw a little wisdom from the best well, though
it may be too late for my use in the work I have in hand
and very much at heart.

You will probably be surprised at my undertaking
this task at my period of life, and when I am left to my
own thoughts I am sometimes surprised myself at my
rashness. People here stare when I tell them that I
listened to the debates in Congress on Mr. Jay's treaty
in 1795, and seem to think that some antediluvian has
come amongst them out of his grave. The truth is that
I was tempted by my great anxiety in the cause, and
the extreme peace between our countries. The latter
circumstance induced my political friends to press this
appointment upon me, and with much hesitation, founded
solely upon my health and age, I yielded. In short, here
I am. My reception has been everything I could expect
or wish; but your experience will tell you that little can
be inferred from this until real business is entered upon.
I can only say that it shall not be my fault if we do not
continue to live on better terms than we have lately done,
and, if I do not understand the present very anomalous
state of parties here, or misinterpret public opinion
generally, there appears to be no class of politicians
of any respectable character indisposed to peace with us

277

1848] DIARY OP JAMES GALLATIN

on reasonably terms. I expect and desire to obtain no
other, and my present character of a diplomatist is so
new to me that I know no other course but candour and
plain dealing. The most inexpert protocolist would beat
me hollow at such work. I rely on your good wishes,
my dear sir, though I have nothing else, and that you
will believe me unfeignedly yours,

ASHBURTON

fflB

APPENDIX I

Correspondence between Albert Gallatin and Alexander
Baring; showing the state of feeling in England towards
America and the possibilities of the success of the mission.

ALBERT GALLATIN to MESSRS. BARING BROS. & CO.

GoTTENBUBO, Juns ftSt, 1813

Gentlemen,

The President of the United States having ac-
cepted on the part of the said States the mediation offered
by the Emperor of Russia, Mr. Bayard and myself have
been appointed, jointly with Mr. Adams, Ministers,
with full powers to treat of peace with such Ministers as
may be appointed on the part of Great Britain. We
left the United States in the public ship Neptune, Captain
Lloyd Jones, on May 11, arrived here on the 20th
instant, and intend to proceed this evening in the ship
on our way to St. Petersburg.

We are authorized to draw on you for our salaries
and for the contingent expenses of the mission, and,
in order to assist us with the best mode of negotiating
bills, will thank you to let us know at St. Petersburg
the course of exchange between London and Amsterdam.

We will also be obliged to you to have the account and
date of our arrival in Lloyd's list and some other paper,
as it may give to our friends in America the earliest
account of our safe arrival.

Of the fact that we are appointed to treat and on our
way to St. Petersburg for that purpose, as stated in the

279

APPENDIX I

first paragraph of this letter, I should wish your Govern-
ment to be informed. And we will be thankful for any
intelligence connected with our mission which you may
deem important and which you may feel at liberty to
communicate. We sailed with a passport from Admiral
Warren; and whatever may be the result of this mission,
we feel anxious to return speedily and safely to America.
We will detain the Neptune at St. Petersburg for that
purpose, and may want a passport from your Govern-
ment for her return with ourselves and suite on board.
It is presumable that this will be obtained without
difficulty. And will thank you to make the inquiry,
and to cause, if necessary, such passport to be forwarded
to us at St. Petersburg.

Albert Gallatin

ALEXANDEB BABING io ALBEBT GALLATIN

London, Jtdy 82, 1818
Dear Sir,

The letter with which you honoured my house
from Gottenburg has remained for a few days unanswered,
for the purpose of obtaining the information necessary
to enable me to make a satisfactory reply.

For the money you may require you will please to direct
drafts upon us or on Amsterdam in any manner you may
think expedient. Messrs. Meyer and Bruxner, bankers
at St. Petersburg, by whom this letter will be conveyed
to you, have our directions to obey any orders you may
give them on this subject, presuming that you will prefer
not to let. your own drafts go into public circulation.
Our present exchange with Holland is about 79 the
pound sterling, which will enable you to calculate what
mode of reimbursement will best answer your purpose.

I have taken care to make in the proper quarter the
communications you desire, and, as you express a wish
to be informed of any occurrences here, relating to your
mission, some observations may perhaps be acceptable

280

APPENDIX I

on the dispositions of Government and of the public
concerning it, upon which I have good reason to assure you
that you may perfectly rely.

I anticipated the most favourable result from the
names which constituted the new commission, and felt
confident that we should soon see an end of this senseless
war. I was quite sure you would not leave your home
without the powers and the disposition to do your country
this essential service, and although the place fixed upon
for the negotiation, and the manner in which it was
proposed to conduct it, considerably abated the confidence
of the public, I never entertained those doubts of the
sincerity of America with which those circumstances
inspired others.

The mediation of Russia was offered, not sought — ^it
was fairly and frankly accepted. I do not see how
America could with any consistency refuse it; but to
the eyes of a European politician it was clear that such
an interference could produce no practical benefit. The
only question now seriously at issue between us is one
purely of a domestic nature in each country respectively;
no foreign Government can fairly judge it. A question
of the relative rights and duties of Sovereign and subject
between two great countries, where, owing to their
recent separation, a distinction between the great masses
of their seafaring population becomes almost impossible,
can only exist between Great Britain and America; no
other country can judge of the various positions of great
delicacy and importance to which such a state of things
must give rise; and even where the best understanding
prevails between European courts, there are shades of
difference and sometimes feelings of various sorts which
must prevent any cordial mediation on such points.
On the other hand, what a handle does such a subject
offer for fomenting discord on points totally foreign
from it I We have lately seen a threat of dragging
American politics into a German congress, among Powers

281

APPENDIX I

neither understanding nor caring for any of its interest,
but merely to enable them to wrangle the more dexter-
ously about their own.

This is not the way for Great Britain and America really
to settle their disputes; intelligent persons of the two
countries might devise mutual securities and concessions
which perhaps neither country would offer in the presence
of a third party. It is a sort of family quarrel, where
foreign interferences can only do harm and irritate at any
time, but more especially in the present state of Europe,
when attempts would be made to make a tool of America
in a manner which I am sure neither you nor your
colleagues would sanction.

These, I have good reason to know, are pretty nearly the
sentiments of Goverpment here on the question of place
of negotiation and foreign mediation, and before this
reaches you you will have been informed that this media-
tion has been refused, with expressions of our desire to
treat separately and directly here, or, if more agreeable
to you, at Gottenburg.

I believe you may rely upon it that from this resolution
we shall not here depart, not only from the sense of the
objections I have already stated to a mediating negotia-
tion, but that your persevering in such a course will be
considered here as the touchstone of your sincerity. Al-
though I trust our Government does not participate in
the prevailing opinion here that a secret political con-
nexion exists with France, yet your persevering in bringing
this insulated question before the Powers of the Continent
would favour those suspicions, and induce Ministers
to believe that your only object was to assist France in
the sort of mystification and confusion in which it often
suits her purpose to envolve her diplomatic negotiations.

I trust that these considerations, duly weighed, will
satisfy you that no inference is to be drawn from our
refusal of the Russian mediation unfavourable to our dis-
position for peace, and that if we wish to remove the seat of

282

APPENDIX I

the negotiation it is in reality for the purpose of coming
at that result with more certainty. This city has, I
understand, been proposed to you, and Gottenburg
offered as an alternative in case you do not choose to
trust yourselves so near to us.

My hopes of a favourable result would be much in-
creased by your coming at once in contact with our
Ministers. The advantages in all cases of treating this
principle are obvious, but the peculiar character of the
point in dispute gives them greater weight. You would
find any Minister of this country very cautious in giving
instructions to any plenipotentiary to treat on a subject
of so much delicacy as the rights and duties of Sovereign
and subject. Those instructions must remain recorded
in his office, and may be called for by Parliament. Con-
cessions might be made, securities and substitutes de-
vised, and difficulties overcome in a direct negotiation
which I should almost despair of if it were to be carried
on at a distance; and I am quite sure that the mass
of intelligence which your commission affords on the
relative policy of Great Britain and America is more
than a match for all our island can produce on the same
subject, upon which the ignorance of many of our lead-
ing characters would probably surprise you. But you
would naturally wish to ask the question whether, should
you consent to come here to negotiate, there is a prob-
able chance of a favourable result. Upon this I will
give you my candid opinion, and I know that I
can, without deceiving you, state the sentiments of
Government.

That we wish for a restoration of peace with you need
not be argued. Our situation, the great contest in
which we are engaged, make it impossible that we should
be otherwise than heartily desirous of putting an end to
a contest from which we suffer considerably (though
perhaps, less than was anticipated), and from which no
good can result. The extent of the injury which the two

S8S

APPENDIX I

countries can do each other is now pretty well ascertained,
we can tease and weaken each other without any practical
result, and you cannot for a moment doubt our wish to
carry the resources now employed in defending ourselves
against you into the more important field of European
contest.

With these feelings, why has the war continued so long?
The only serious point at issue may be said to be that of
the impressment of seamen — a question presenting of
itself serious and not imaginary difficulties. To hope for
any solution of them the disposition on both sides must be
sincere, the spirit of peace must animate both parties,
and I will not disguise from you that when America set
this question of seamen up as cause of war after the great
effort for conciliation was made in the repeal of the Orders
in Council, the prevalent opinion here was that the war
was a war of passion with the people of America, and that
concessions would only show weakness, and never satisfy
them, and that therefore no alternative was left to us but
to fight it out as well as we could. Whether this opinion
was well or ill founded need not now be discussed; it
prevented at the time any deliberate consideration of the
question of seamen, which was considered merely as a
pretext, to be followed by some other if once removed.
This opinion I believe to be, in as far as Government is
concerned, on the change. The representation of persons
desirous of seeing a return of peace on honourable terms,
a growing opinion that America has a real and serious
interest in this question of seamen, the repeated wish
expressed by your Executive, and above all, the characters
appointed for the pacific mission to St. Petersburg, have
excited hopes; there is a disposition to examine the
question, and I am quite certain that I can now assure
you that should you come here you will be received with
confidence in your intentions, with great personal respebt,
and with a determination to come to terms of peace with
you if it be found practicable to do so consistently with the

284

APPENDIX I

safety of our maritime power, supposed to be, and which
undoubtedly is, involved in this question.

So much I can confidently say of the disposition existing
here. But are the difficulties, supposing the disposition
on both sides to be perfect, of themselves insurmountable,
or are we doomed to the necessity of perpetual war?
Upon this point I will give you with sincerity my opinion:
I shall not trouble you with any extensive discussion of
a subject with which you are so well acquainted. The
difficulties are very considerable, but, although I can
hardly say that I think they can be surmounted to the
enHre satisfaction of both parties, I do think that by
sincere and friendly discussions some system may be
devised of practical efficiency to answer the reasonable
purposes of both countries. At all events, it is the duty
of both to make some arrangement, because some ar-
rangement or perpetual war are the only alternative.
It is easy on either side to dress the question out with
popular attractions, but any indifferent person under-
standing it and considering it calmly must be sensible
that on our side we could not admit your pretensions
to their full extent without endangering the discipline,
and even the existence, of our navy, and, on the other
hand, that on your part you cannot submit to the existing
system as practised by us. There is, therefore, a neces-
sity of some settlement. If you submitted at present,
the growing power and population of America would
force a settlement on the two countries at no distant
period perhaps after ruinous wars. Being frequently
accused here of undue partiality towards America, I
trust at least that I shall have credit with you for a
sincere wish to see an end put to so permanent and certain
a source of strife; but I must freely confess that, highly
as I value a state of peace and harmony with America,
I am so sensible of the danger to our naval power from
anything like an unrestricted admission of your principles,
that I should almost incline to think it safer to consider

285

APPENDIX I

an American as an inevitable concomitant of a French
war, and to provide for it accordingly. It is useless to
discuss the abstract question of right when it becomes
one of necessity, and with us I sincerely believe it to be so.

If therefore the disposition of your Government be to
adhere pertinaciously to the determination to give us no
better security than the Act of Congress lately passed^ I
should think your coming here or negotiating anywhere
useless for any good purpose. I know it must be so, because
I know that any Government of this country would be
restrained from such an unlimited concession by its
known and certain danger, by the state of public opinion,
and that the best friends to the restoration of peace
would not be bold enough to recommend it. But, on the
other hand, if you are desirous of endeavouring, by mutual
explanation and concession, to consult the security and
just apprehension of both countries, I know that I can
assure you that you will find a corresponding disposition
here; and although I would not speak lightly of the
difficulties to be overcome, I am inclined by a long con-
sideration of the subject to anticipate every reasonable
degree of success from the joint efforts of yourselves
and those persons whom our Government will be prepared
to appoint to meet you.

I have thus, my dear sir, ventured to suggest to you
what occurs to me on the interesting subject of your
mission. I should not have risked opinions without
feeling certain that I was not misleading you if you think
proper to trust to them. I hope they will encourage
you not to return to America without at least making an
experiment in the manner most likely to lead to success.

I am assured by my Lord Castlereagh that the requisite
order shall be sent for permitting your cartel-ship, the
Neptune, to carry the gentlemen composing your mission
wherever they may think proper; and I trust that I
shall be ere long gratified by seeing her bring with you
the hope of peace to our shores.

286

APPENDIX I

If I can personally be of any service, I trust you will
freely command me, and that I may be permitted to
present my compliments to Mr. Bayard and Mr. Adams
with whom I believe I have the advantage of a very
slight acquaintance, which I should have the greatest
satisfaction in being afforded an opportunity of improving.

I am, with great consideration and personal regard,
dear sir, your very obedient servant,

Alexander Baring

ALBERT GALLATIN to ALEXANDER BARING

St. PETfiBSBUBO, Attffust 27, 1818
Dear Sir,

The letter (of July 22) with which you have
favoured me was received on the 17th inst. For this I
return you my sincere thanks, and duly appreciate the
importance of the information you have obtained, and the
motives which have actuated you. Although I cannot write
as freely as a person whose communications do not com-
mit his own (Government, the hope that our correspond-
ence may be of some public utility induces me to enter
as far in the subject as is consistent with my situation.
We have not received, as you suggested, the information
that the mediation of Russia had been refused by Great
Britain, with expressions of a desire to treat with us
separately and directly at London or at Gottenburg.
It is possible that Lord Walpole, who is said here to have
gone to the Emperor's headquarters, may be the bearer
of that communication. We have in the meanwhile
been notified that the Emperor had, on the arrival of our
mission, given orders that his offer of mediation should
be renewed; and we will wait here the result. But if
your Government should, after due consideration, persist
in its absolute refusal of that offer, a negotiation with us
cannot be opened, since our powers in that respect are
to treat of peace with Great Britain expressly under the
mediation of Russia. We have a distinct commission

287

APPENDIX I

to treat afterwards of commerce, if agreeable to your
Government, and without reference to any mediation.
This was alluded to by the President of the United States
in his last message, and is now mentioned as an evidence
of his sincere desire not only to make peace, but to estab-
lish the relations between the two countries on the most
frielidly footing.

It does not belong to me to discuss the objections
which your Government may have to treat of peace under
the mediation of Russia; but we were altogether unaware,
when we left America, that any such could exist. Russia
had an interest in the restoration of peace between the
two countries, since the war interrupted her commercial
relations with America, and diverted a certain portion of
the British force from the important object of European
warfare. In the terms on which peace should be made,
in the essential point at issue — a point, which, as you sug-
gest, could not in practice arise with respect to her — she
had no immediate interest. In those respects she united
therefore the essential requisites in a mediating Power,
a sincere wish that peace might be made, and impartiality
as to the subject of the dispute. On the other hand,
with Russia we had only friendly and commercial relations,
but no political connexion. You had also with her rela-
tions of the same nature with ours and on a much more
extensive scale. And you had at the same time an
intimate political connexion, necessarily arising from
your being united in a most important conflict against
a formidable common enemy. You are her ally in a war
which to her is an object of so much superior importance
to the interest she has in the restoration of peace between
you and us — that America might have hesitated to accept
her mediation had it not been for the great confidence
we place in the personal character of the Emperor.
This we considered a sufficient pledge of impartiality;
and, certain that your Government at least in that
respect entertained sentiments similar to ours, we did

£88

APPENDIX I

not presuppose that if the mediation was accepted by
us there could be any hesitation on the subject on the
part of Great Britain, unless she considered peace as,
at all events at this moment, either impracticable or un-
desirable. We did also believe that our accepting as a
mediator a Sovereign at war with France was such a
clear evidence of our neither having nor wishing to have
any political connexion with this last Power, that it
must remove those suspicions on the part of your Govern-
ment to which you allude, and which, although altogether
erroneous and destitute of foundation, might probably
continue to have an unfavourable effect on its disposi-
tions and termination.

Such was the view of the subject under which our
Government acted in the appointment of the extraordi-
nary mission; and you must at once perceive that if
a rejection of the mediation on the part of Great Britain
had been anticipated, the result would have been, not a
direct mission to that country for which there was no
preliminary foundation, but merely a declaration that
the United States accepted the mediation, and would be
ready to act upon it whenever it was accepted by Great
Britain.

It will be a matter of regret if this frank proceeding on
the part of America, this effort to re-establish peace in an
honourable manner and without suing for it, should, on
the threshold, be defeated by the absolute refusal of your
Government of the offered mediation. Without at all
entering in a discussion of the objections they have to that
measure, still, so far as those objections are exhibited
in your letter they do not appear to me to go beyond a
belief that a direct negotiation would afford a better
prospect of success than one conducted under the media-
tion of any third Power. This may be true; but as it
does not, however, seem necessarily to imply that the
attempt to negotiate under a mediation may not under
certain circumstances be made, or that a mediation^ where

APPENDIX I

America is concerned^ is at all events and in itself in-
admissible, I still indulge the hope that your Government,
finding that a rejection of the mediation is, so far as this
mission is concerned, a refusal to negotiate, and placing
that confidence in the sincerity of our dispositions and
views to which we feel ourselves entitled, will, on a due con-
sideration of the subject, find it practicable to reconcile
an acceptance of the mediation with their views and
principles.

With respect to the main question, the probability of
an arrangement, you are sensible that I cannot at this
time and on this occasion enter into details. That I
would not have given up my political existence and
separated myself from my family unless I had believed
an arrangement practicable and that I might be of some
utility in effecting it, you are sufficiently aware. The
law to which you allude is a municipal regulation, which
may, however, be considered as a primary evidence of
the general disposition of the American Government
to advance towards a compromise. On that subject I
could not be more explicit without in fact entering into
the negotiation itself. I will only state that, however
desirable it might be to define with precision and in a
permanent manner the respective rights of the two
countries on the subject of impressment, I do not hope
that this can be effected at this time, that either nation
can be induced to abandon its rights or pretensions in
that respect. All that, in my opinion, can be done is an
arrangement, by way of experiment, which, reserving
to both nations their respective abstract rights real or
assumed, shall be founded on mutual engagements in
such manner that the failure of either .nation to fulfil her
engagement shall absolve the other nation from her own
and leave her in as full exercise of her rights and pre-
tensions as if the arrangement had not been made.

I have thus freely communicated as far as our relative
situation seemed to permit, being well assured that what I

290

APPENDIX I

have said will be used for its intended purpose of assisting
in promoting the restoration of peace. I know how dear
this object is to you, and that we both have an equal
desire that not only peace but the most friendly relations
and understanding should subsist between the two
countries. I can assure you that such also is the sincere
and earnest desire of my Government, and that nothing
which can be done in that respect will be omitted on my
part or on that of my colleagues. Whatever the result
may be, I will preserve a just sense of your friendly
conduct on this occasion, and remain with great considera-
tion and sincere regard, dear sir, your very obedient
servant,

Albert Gallatin

ALEXANDER BARING io ALBERT GALLATIN

London, October 12, 1818
Dear Sir,

The letter you favoured me with of August 27,
reached me in course of post, and if I have delayed my
reply it has not been, I can assure you, from any neglect
of the important subject of its contents. I have been
endeavouring to be useful in an object which I have very
much at heart. At this season of the year those with
whom I wished to confer are generally out of town, and
correspondence becomes necessary. In communicating to
you the result of my endeavoiu's I am sorry to say that
they have been less successful than I could hope or than
I had at one time expected; at the same time, however,
I feel the more convinced that the existing difficulties
are more difficulties of form than of substance, and I very
much misunderstand the disposition on both sides if an
agreement were not the result of negotiation, if that
negotiation could but be once set on foot. In what I
communicate I beg leave again to assure you that you
may rely upon my not misleading you, and, without
troubling you much with the arguments that are used,

291

APPENDIX I

I shall confine myself principally to the results, and that
the rather as little time is left me before the departure
of the post, and I wish that no time may be lost. We are
here resolved to abide by the principle of direct negotiation.
I had hoped that an agreement might have been so far
advanced and ascertained that the mediation would
have been a mere matter of form, and in that case it
might have been adopted for the purpose of keeping
your powers alive, and although I could of course attain
to nothing like certainty as to this probability of agree-
ment, I am still inclined to infer it from the general ex-
pression of your letter and from what I have collected
here. But it has been resolved here not to depart from the
first resolution of entering only into a direct negotiation,
and it is thought that, upon the whole, time will at last
be saved by this mode, even though it should oblige
you to have recourse to America for an alteration of
your powers. The arguments used by you in favour
of a Russian mediation are very ingenious, and no in-
ference of insincerity is drawn from America's adopting
this mode, but there are circumstances connected with
the nature of the question which makes it ineligible,
when in any common political dissension it might be the
most rational and satisfactory course to pursue. But
whatever may be the weight of argument on either side,
you may be assured that the determination is here irrev-
ocable, and before this reaches you it must have been
communicated to you in some authentic shape. As at
the same time a readiness for direct negotiations will be
declared, this must save entirely any feelings of pride
that America may entertain, as the advance for direct
negotiation comes from hence in return for a step on her
part of much less concession. What you will think proper
to do in this case — whether to wait for new powers, to
return yourselves, or to come here in the expectation of
those powers being sent — will remain with you to deter-
mine; perhaps, indeed, you have determined before this

^92

APPENDIX I

reaches you, as the Baltic will probably be closed for
navigation by the end of this month. The omission of
Mr. Adams' name in the passport was quite accidental,
and must have been my fault. I have no recollection of
the circumstance, but I probably concluded at the time
that as he was the resident Minister at St. Petersburg
he would not return. I trust, however, that he will not
have hesitated to accompany you on account of this
omission, which he may be assured will be of no conse-
quence, and that the vessel, with any person belonging
to the mission, will be suffered freely to pass our fleets.

On the subject of the probability of an agreement
between the two Governments I am sensible that you
must necessarily write with reserve; but as I am under
no such restraint, I will state to you fairly what you
may expect here, and I do it because this may influence
your determination on other points, and because I
always think that between States, as between individuals,
where the intentions are honest, plain language is always
preferable to artifice. We wish for peace. The pressure
of the war upon our commerce and manufactures is
over; they have ample relief in other quarters; and,
indeed, the dependence of the two countries on each
other was, as it usually is, overrated. But the war
has no object; it is expensive; and we want to carry
our efforts elsewhere. Our desire of peace, therefore,
cannot be doubted, and you may quite rely upon it.
With respect to the only question really at issue, we are
disposed to concert with you the most efficient means of
confining the seamen of each country to their respective
services; but we do not believe in the practicability of
so doing without a reservation of a right of search for them,
or rather without a continuation of the practice, for we
do not want from you a recognition of right. This
practice we are ready to regulate in any manner con-
sistent with its object, and I feel an entire conviction
that it may be regulated in a manner to do away

298

APPENDIX I

almost everything that is objectionable in it. On this
point you will find us reasonable and liberal, but very
firm upon the question of not giving up the practice of
examination and search, and indeed with every desire
not only to see peace restored, but to see satisfaction
given to America on this point — which I always
thought she had a right to — I cannot see how we can
under our present system of manning our navy do more.
All the Acts of Congress or Acts of Parliament that can
be framed would be ineffectual without this, and I am
sure that when you come to the details you would be of
the same opinion; and it is for this reason that I infer
from the cautious wording of your letter that you would
not be disinclined to an arrangement upon this principle,
where every precaution would be taken, and taken, I
think, effectually, to remove everything that is vexatious
in the present practice, and to subject it to the responsi-
bility towards both Governments, under which alone it
can be made consistent with a state of peace. I shall not
trouble you with any detailed examination of this point;
the general principles of our Government you would find
as I have stated, and if they are not repugnant to your
instructions I think you would soon complete the work
of peace without the help or hindrance of any mediator.
I have not yet had a good opportunity for America
to send your letters for Mrs. Gallatin; they are now here,
but a cartel is expected to sail in a few days, and they
shall be taken care of. We have not hitherto received
any for you. I beg you will believe me at all times
happy to be useful, and with great esteem and regard,
dear sir, your sincerely devoted servant,

Alexander Barinq

APPENDIX II

Letteb from Voltaire to thb Comtb d'Abgemtal

9 FSmrier, 1761.

Voici la plus belle occasion, mon cher ange, d'exercer
voire ministdre celeste. II s'agit du meilleur office que
je puisse recevoir de vos bont6s.

Je vous conjure, mon cher et respectable ami,
d'employer tout votre credit aupr^ de Monsieur le Due
de Choiseul; aupr^ de ses amis, s'il le faut apr^s, de sa
mattresse, etc. etc. Et pourquoi ose-je vous demander
tant d'appui, tant de zMe, tant de vivacity, et surtout un
prompt succ^s? Pour le bien du service, mon cher ange:
pour battre le Due de Brunswick. M. Gallatin, Officier
aux gardes Suisses, qui vous pr6sentera ma tr^s-humble
r6qu6te, est de la plus ancienne famille de Geneve. lis
se font tuer pour nous de p^re en fils depuis Henri Quatre.

L'Oncle de celui-ci a 6t6 tu6 devant Ostende; son
fr^re a 6t£ si la malheureuse et abominable journ6e de
Rosbach, i, ce que je crois; journte oil les regiments
suisses firent seuls leur devoir. Si ce n'est pas k Rosbach,
c'est ailleurs; le fait est qu'il a 6t6 tu6; celui-ci a 6t6
bless6. II sert depuis dix ans; il a 6t6 aide-major; il
veut I'fitre. II faut des aides-major qui parlent bien
I'allemand, qui soient actifs, intelligents; il est tout cela.
Enfin vous saurez de lui pr6cis£ment ce qu'il lui faut;
c'est en g6n6ral la permission d'aller vite chercher la mort
k votre service. Faites-lui cette grftce et qu'il ne soit
point tu6, car il est fort aimable et il est neveu de cette
Madame Calendrin que vous avez vue 6tant enfant.
Madame sa mdre est bien aussi aimable que Madame
Calendrin.

295

APPENDIX n

ENGLISH TRANSLATION

Ptbruary 9, 1761.

Hefe, my dear angel, is the finest occasion for using your heavenly
ministration. I am asking for the greatest service I could receive from
your kindness.

My dear and honourable friend, I implore you to use all your credit
with the Duo de Choiseul, with his friends, and if that fails, with his
mistress, etc. Why do I ask for so much support, such seal, such
determination — above all for a speedy and successful issue? For the
good of the service, dear angel — ^to fight the Duke of Brunswick.
M. Gallatin, officer in the Swiss Guards, who will present my humble
request to you, belongs to the oldest family in Geneva. Tli«y have
shed their blood for us from father to son since the time of Henri
Quatre.

The uncle of this GaDatin was killed before Ostend; his brother
was, I believe, at the unhappy and accursed day of Rosbach, the day
when the Swiss regiments alone did their duty. If it was not Rosbach
it was somewhere else. The fact remains that he was killed— this one
was wounded. He has served for ten years, has been staff-major
— ^which is the poet he wants. We need staff-migors who speak
German and who are active and intelligent; he ia all of that. But
you will learn from him the exact nature of his wants: generally
speaking, it is leave to seek a speedy death in your service. Do him
this kindness and se3 that he be not killed, for he is very amiable and
a nephew of the Madame Calendrin whom you saw in your childhood*
His mother too is as amiable as Madame Calendrin.

206

APPENDIX III

Translation op Decision op the 5th August 1810

Whereas the above report made in the Council of Com-
merce and Manufacture, with the following results:

(1) That the Grovernment of the United States is not
bound by her act of the 1st March 1809 — by the order
dated 20th May following that the French Ships and
Merchandise therein contained, which enter their ports
should be put under sequestration, but that the con-
fiscation of the aforesaid ships and merchandise has been
ordered.

(2) That it has been established by the same Act that
when the relations with France have been re-established
the confiscations will continue to tave their effect.

(3) That the Act of the 1st March 1809 has been put
into execution on every occasion that has presented it-
self, not only against the Cargoes but against the French
ships as well. We have ordered, and order what follows:

(1) That the funds arising from the sales of the Amer-
ican Cargoes which have been sold up to this date, and
the total which has been placed on deposit in the Caisse
of Amortbment, shall be transferred to the public treas-
ury.

(2) That the American Cargoes that have been placed
under sequestration shall be sold and the funds arising
from the same shall be paid into the Public Treasury.

(3) That the American ships which up to this date, no
decision has been come to, shall be sold and the funds
they realize shall be paid into the Public Treasury.

(4) Taking into consideration that the Act of the 1st
March 1809 made by the United States does not contain

297

APPENDIX m

any order as to the disposition of the Crews of our ships,
and always wishing to treat the United States as fairly
as possible and using only with regret our rights of re-
prisal against them. We agree that the Crews of Amer-
ican ships entering our ports shall not be considered as
prisoners, but shall be sent back to their own country.

(5) The dispositions above stated shall be carried out
with regard to all the American ships which have entered
our ports and been sequestered since the 20th March
1808— to the 1st of May of the present year 1810— the
date of the Act by which the United States has revoked
the Act of the 1st March 1809.

(6) In the future and up to the 1st of November the
date fixed by the letter of our Minister of Foreign Affairs
to the plenipotentiary's of the United States for the
revocation of our decrees of Berlin and Milan (in the
case that our conditions established in the aforesaid
letters are fulfilled) the American ships can enter our
ports; but the unloading cannot take place without a
license signed by our hand, and on a report made in the
Council of Commerce stating that they have not been
denationalized by their submission to the order of the
Council of Great Britain and that they have not con-
travened decrees of Berlin and Milan.

Given at our Palace of the Trianon the 5th August
1810.

Signed Napoleon

INDEX

Act of CongresB of March 1809,

188,297
AdaznB, John, second Premdent of
United States, 4 noU
John Quincy, minister to
Russia, appointed peace
commissioner, ix, zi, 1, 4,
11-12, 16, 20-23. 27-36,
279, 287, 293; and Albert
Gallatin, 181, 184, 236, 267;
letters from Albert Gal-
latin, 187-90, 259-61; and
the seizure of the ApoUon^
192-^ ; letter to James Gal-
latin, 225, 254^55.
William, 28
Addington, Mr., 260
Aix-en-Savoie, 148, 185, 190-91
Aix-la-Chapelle Congress, 142
Alcantara, H6tel d', in Ghent, 27
Alexander, Emperor, offer of me-
diation, vii, 1, 6, 18, 19, 21-23,
26, 235, 259, 279; and Napoleon,
5, 53; Moreau's appreciation of,
8, 9; a forgotten note, 13; guest
of England, 21, 23, 24; Lafay-
ette's interview with, 21-23;
and Mme. de Staftl, 23, 25; re-
ception of Albert Gallatin, 2ir-
25; opinion of Albert Gallatin,
35; presents to Albert Gallatin,
253; and the North-Eaatem
boundary question, 261
Alfieri, Marquis, 106, 118, 200

Marquise, 118, 200
Alfred, footman, 87

tailor, 213, 222-25, 233
Allaman, ChAteau d', 4&-49, 191,

214
AlHes, the, decision to crush Na-
poleon, 74r-76; destruction in
Paris by the, 102

Alps, the Simplon Pass, 65
America, Mme. de Stall's prop-
erty in, 37, 38-39, 42-43; return
of the Gallatins to, 235-38, 240-
43
American War of Independence,

42
Americans in Paris, Albert Gal-
latin and, 201, 210; in London,
263, 264, 265
Amiens, 134
Amnesty, the Indian, 32
Amsterdam, 13, 15
Andelys, hea, 68
Anglais, Caf6, 207
Angoultoe, Due d', and Albert
Gallatin, 86, 124, 221, 241; and
the deaUi of the Due de Berri,
157; and Richelieu, 203-04;
letter to Albert Gallatin, 243;
wedding presents to James Gal-
kitin, 250

Duchesse d', and James Galla-
tin, 64; and Mme. Gallatin,
90, 235-36; jewels of, 116,
177; and the Due d'Orl^ans,
140; death of the Due de
Berri, 157-58; personality,
168, 221; and Frances Gal-
latin, 193-94; at St. Cloud,
210-11; last reception of
Mme. and Frances Gallatin,
235-36, 238, 241; love for
her brother, 237; the packet
given to Albert Gallatin,
241-^42; wedding present to
James Gallatin, 250
Annapolis, 277
ApoUan, the, seizure, 192
Arc, Joan of, 69

Archbishop of Paris, intriguing
for the post of, 200

299

INDEX

Argental, Count d', letter from

Voltaire, 295^-06
Aahburton, Lorti. See Baring,

Alexander
Astor, John Jacob, and Albert

Gallatin, vi and note, vii, 80, 174,

201, 229; manners, 167; and

Mme. Bonaparte, 179
Aumont, Due d', 241
Austria, question of suocession,

261

Bachalan'b Hotel, Copenhagen, 3

Bache, Richard, letter from Ben-
jamin Franklin to, ii

Bahnat, Jacques, 216

Baltimore, 61-62, 211, 221, 237,
240, 244-46, 252, 255
Archbishop of, and M. Pa»-
cault, 249

Bank of the United States, presi-
dency refused by Albert GaUa-
tin, 197, 201

Baring, Alexander, letters from
Albert GaUatin, vii, 3, 279-80,
287-91; negotiations with, 12,
14; friendship with the Galla-
tins, 72, 77, 172, 174, 203, 210,
222, 262-64, 268, 276; offer to
James Gallatin, 224; letter to
Albert Gallatin, 280-87, 291-94

Baring, Mrs. Alexander, 72, 203,
210, 272

Barry, Colonel, letter to the Mar-
quis of Huntly, 52-56

Bassano, Due de, 166, 172, 187-88

Bates, Miss, 256, 272

Bathurst, Lord, 15, 20, 30-32, 59

Bayard, Mr., vi, 1, 2, 12, 13, 15, 16,
2f, 28-30, 33, 69, 75, 279, 287

Belgarde, 62

Bentham, Jeremy, 14 and note,
175-76

Bentinck, Mile, 112

Berlin Decree, the, 187, 188, 298

"Berline," use of a, 87

Bemadotte, Jean, 122 and note, 223
• Mme. See Sweden, Queen of

Berne, 217

Bern, Due de, in London, 56; and
Albert Gallatin, 86 and noU, 93,
130; and the Duke of Welling-
ton, 104-5; and the Orleans
family, 106; a story of, 107-8;
and James Gallatin, 135, 136,
140; the Duchesse and, 144;
innoyations at Court, 149; at
the Elys6e, 154; death of, 15&-
61; effect of his death on jevf-
neeaedarie, 182
Duchesse de, and the Orleans
family, 106, 140; hospitality
of, 124, 144; death of the
Duke, 156-61; accusation
against Decaies, 161 ; at the
Tuileries, 162; birth of the
Due de Bordeaux, 165-67,
177; and the bomb ex-
plosions, 180; and the Gal-
latins, 220-21, 236
Berthal, Mme., housekeeper, 96,
13^-40, 148, 150, 151, 188, 175-
76,180
Berthe, ]& Reine, 50
BerthoUet, 44, 45
Bertrand, Gen., in Elba, 53
B6thisy, Mme. de, 157 and tuta,

235
Bingham, Miss, of Philadelphia.

See Baring, Mrs. Alexander.
Biron family, the, 63
Blanc, Mont, ascent, 215
Blockade in time of war, queetum

of, 70
Boar hunts, 113-14, 151-52, 200
"Bocage," house at Pregny, 138
Boigne, Comtesse de, 58, 92 and
noU, 98, 104, 106, 139, 150, 169,
192, 208, 220, 228, 233, 239
General de, 92 note
Bois de Boulogne, 136; skating on
the Petit Lac, 101, 119, 195, 198-
99, 202, 226-27, 232
Bonaparte, Jerome, 51, 61-63, 202,
252
Joseph, ex-King of Spain, 49
and note, 50, 122, 190; Al-
bert GaUatin and, 67

800

INDEX

Bonaparte — cont,

Louis, 40 note, 234
Madame M^, 179, 236, 255
Mme. Patterson, stories of,
51-52, 61-62; present to
James Gallatin, 58; and
Mme. de StaSl, 58, 138;
in Paris, 88-91, 163, 194;
herson"Bo,"90, 165, 179;
return from America, 101;
letter to Albert Gallatin,
144; popularity, 165; praise
of Napoleon, 187; friend-
ship with the Gallatins, 195,
200-2, 236, 240, 247, 263
note; hatred of the Catons,
197,222;hatred of theBona-
partes, 236-37; admiration
of MUe Pascault, 237, 245
Napoleon, and Alexander, 5;
mentioned by Gen. Moreau,
7; America and, 16-17;
and Mme. de Sta§l, 52-53;
at Elba, account by Mr.
Douglas, 52-56; and the
Pope, 63; escape from Elba,
64; march on Paris, 65^^;
interview with Albert Gal-
latin, 67-68; decision of the
Allies, 74^75; ceremony in
the Champs de Mars, 75;
Waterloo, 76; Albert Gal-
latin's opinion of, 78r-79,
179; at St. Helena, 111;
the Manuscript of St. Hel-
ena, 121 ; dukes created by,
172; death, 186; the Tria-
non decree of August 5,
1810, 187-90, 297-98; baby
dothes of, 255
Order of, 6 w^
Pauline. See Borghese, Prin-
oesB Pauline
Bonapartism, decay, 257, 259-60
Bonapartists, the, 186-87, 190, 234
Bonneval, de, 57 and note
Bonstetten, M. de, 48, 51, 56
Bordeaux, Due de, 166 and note,
167, 257, 260

Borghdse, H6tel, 90, 209-10, 220

and note
Borghese, Princess Pauline, 90, 179
Borgo, Count Pozzo di, 94, 98,

100, 106, 118, 120-21, 124, 141

and noU, 144, 163-64, 169, 174,

181, 197, 200, 220, 227, 229,

242, 257, 265, 268; a eaiUerie for

Prances Gallatin, 170-71; on

the committee of Crockford's,

203; on the relations between

Great Britain and the United

States, 258-59
"Boston," Game of, 230

Harbour, 230
"Bouche du Rh6ne," 63
Bouff^ family, the, 247
Boulogne, 128, 134
Boundary question, settlement of

the, 126, 133, 256, 259, 261, 275
Bourbon, Due de, 108, 141 and

note, 237
Bourbons, Albert Gallatin and the,

50; Napoleon on the, 53, 54;

position in France, 78-79
Bourg, house of Jacques Coeur at,

57 note, 105, 108-9, 218
la Reine, 60
Bourget, Lac du, 191
Braynton, Captain, of the Spar"

tan, 2
Breteuil Marquis de, a chasee au

sanglier, 113-14
''Brichka," use of a, 88
Briennen, Mile von, 112
Brighton, the Pavilion, 127-31,

262, 268, 276; Alberi; Gallatin

summoned to, 268-69
Brissac, Comte de Coss6, 152, 157-

59
Comteese de Coes6, 175, 231-
32
British Embassy, Paris. See Bor-

ghdse, H6tel
Museum, 15

Peace Mission, in Ghent, 27-
35
Broglie, Due de, 51, 89, 93, 100,

106, 135, 145, 152-53, 216, 242

801

INDEX

Bro^e— oofU.

Ducheeae de (Albertine de
Stafil), 93, 106, 109, 136-36,
145, 152-63, 191, 193, 207,
216, 233-34, 242, 265
Brompton, 16
Brooks's Club, 132
Brougham, Mr., 274
Broughton Castle, 70-71
Brown, Mr., 260

Mrs., daughters of, 160, 166
Thomas, name taken by the
Due de Berri, 166
Bruges, 110

Brummell, Beau, 127-28
Brunswick, Duke of, 96, 296, 296
Brussels, Napoleon's march on,
76-76; Albert Gallatin sent to,
109; the plains of Waterloo, 111
Buckingham House, 265, 271, 272
Bud6, Eugene de, 216

Jules de, 59, 162, 153, 216
Mme. de, 99
M. de, 47, 68, 69
Burgundy wine, 217
Byron, Lord, 66, 69, 167, 216

Calbndbin, Mme., 296-96

Callon, major-domo, 87

Cambridge, Duchess of, 132
University of, 28 noU

Campbell, G. W., 16

Canada, protection of, 28; Napo-
leon's interest in, 68; traffic
with, 70

Cannes, Napoleon at, 64

Canning, Mr., 257, 268, 261, 262,
266; Prime Minister, 268, 269-
71; sayings of, quoted, 269-70;
death, 272-73; as Leader of the
House, 274

Cantillon, arrest of, 104-6

Caraman, George, 231

Garden, valet, 218

Carlton House, 72

Carnival, the, in Paris, 141, 143-
44, 165-66, 177, 201, 235-39

Caroline, Queen, 203

Caron, Monsieur, maftre d'h6tel9
206

Carrolls, the, 251-62

Carrol-town, 261-62

Cassel, Palace at, 226, 262

Cassillis, Lady, 267
Lord, 267

Castdcicala, Prince, 106, 118
Princess, 118

"Castle Solitude," 251

Castlereagb, Lord, the negotia-
tions, vii, 12-14, 20, 23, 26, 28-
30, 34, 69, 286; in Vienna, 37;
and Albert Gallatin, 68, 69, 74,
126, 133; suicide of, 214

Castries, Mme. de, 231-32

Catholic emancipation, 273-74

Caton, Mrs., daughter of, 62 and
noU, 166, 194, 202

Cavour, Count, 68, 214, 216 wde
Countess, 58

Cayla, Mme. du, 200 amd noie, 202,
211, 223, 229, 241

C^lestine, Mile, 143-44

Chabot, Comtease, 208

Chambdry, 93

Chamoix, 216

Chamounix, 214, 216

Champeau, M. de, 231

Champonet, Marquis de, 152

Champs de Mars, ceremony in the,
76
Elysdes, 103, 104, 199

Chapelle, Mme., receptions, 116

Charles I of England, 126

VII and Jacques Coeur, 57

noU, 21S
XII of Sweden, 122 note

Charlotte, Princess, 266
Queen, 132

Charb-es, Due de, 178 and note,
198

Chasse au9angUer, 113-14, 161-^52,
200

Chateaubriand, M. de, 94, 138,
164, 204, 227, 242

Chateauvieux, LuUin de, 121

Chatellon Conference, 23

Chatsworth, 70, 71

802

INDEX

Chelsea Marshes, 132

Chevet, chef, 235

ChilloD, ChAteau de, 50

Chio, 57 nots

Choiaeul, Due de, 295-06

Christmas, in Paris, 93-04, 116-

21, 140-53, 174, 103, 224r-28; in

London, 264
Clanricarde, Lord, 220
Clare, MUe, 107-8
Clary, Mile Eug^e D6sir^. See

Sweden, Queen of
MUe JuUe, 50, 122
Clay, Henry, Uie negotiations, 16,

21 and note, 27, 28, 30-34, 60,

84, 181, 260, 267; letters from

Albert Gallatin to, 260-71, 273-

76
Clermont, 146 noie
Clermont-Tonnerre, Due de, 51,

58,04,00
Dudiesse de, 51, 57 and note,
04, 00, 215
Coeur, Jacques, 57 and noie, 105,

108-0, 218
Coigny, Due de, 151
Columbia River, navigation, 133
Commercial treaty, the negotia-
tions, 70, 73, 76, 77, 133, 142,

256, 266-67, 276
Compidgne, hunting at, 178, 170,

238; Corps de Chaase from, 108
Compton, Mr., 132
Cond6, Prince de, 02 and note, 108,

141, 161
Condorcet, Marquis, 60 and note,

184
Marquise (Mile de Grouchy),
184
Constant, Benjamin, 47, 51
Convention of 1818 renewed and

signed, 261
Conyngham, Lady, 203, 262, 267,

260,272
Copenhagen, 3-4
Coppet, 37-40, 46, 50-51, 56-58,

71, 80, 100, 145, 208, 216, 232

"Corinne," dedication to "Cupi-

don," 58, 71

Comwallis, Miss, 222
Mr., 217

Courland, coast of, 4

Duchesse de, 106, 169-64,
220,222

Coursergues, M. Claude de, 160

Crawford, William H., letters from
Albert Gallatin to, 15-10; letter
from Lafayette, 21-23; return
in the Neptune, 75-76; and Al-
bert Gallatin's remuneration,
84; and the Presidency, 105,
207, 225; paralysis, 240, 251

Crockford's, 203, 265, 268

Cuckfield, 132

"Curricle," the, 01

Dallas, G. H., 2, 12

Domes de la hoUe, the, 183

Dashkoff, Coimt, vi, 1

David, M., portrait of James
Gallatin, 64r-67

Decases, M., Ministry, 113 and
noU, 123, 137; and Albert Gal-
latin, 140; accusation of the
Duchesse de Berri, 158r-61; mis-
sion to London, 161; removal,
168

Demidoff, Prince, 58, 62

DesBoUes, General, 123

Devonshu^, Duke of, 70, 71, 262,
267
House, 267, 272

Diderot, 60

Dijon, 63, 217

Dinner customs in Geneva, 47

Diodatis, the, 47, 215

Diplomatic Service, for America^
221

DisraeU, "Vivian Grey," 267

Dixon, Mr., 3

Doenhoff, Count, 48

Douglas, Mr., account of his au-
dience with Bonaparte, 52-56

Dover, 60, 128, 134, 147
Castle, 134

Dresden, 6

Drouet, General, 53

Dublin, the Vioeri^ Court, 263

SOS

INDEX

Dudley, Lord, 273
Duer, Lady Cathrine, 267
Dumont, M. Andr6, 14 and note
Dundas, Mr., 52
Duma, Due de, 51, 106

Ducheeae de, 51, 90, 106, 122,
137, 139, 236-36
Dutch women, impreasions, 27

EoouB de Droits de Paris, 182

Edouaxd, footman, 87

Edwards, Miss, 220, 222, 22&-30,
271

Elba, Napoleon on, acoount of an
interview, 52-56; escape from,
64

EUsworih, Mr., 11

Elysfe Bourbon, 98

the, entertainments, 124, 142,
144,154

Embassy, laws goveming the,
266

England, peace policy of, 5, 6, 8r-9,
lfr-18, 25^-26, 35; Napoleon on,
54; and America, position in
1816, 86; foreign policy in 1822,
217; the mission to, 255-56

Englishwomen, impression of, 15

Enville, D'. See Rochefoucauld

Escalade, the, 61

Escar, Due d', 178

Esterhazy, Prince, 265

Etiquette, French, 115, 145, 195

Eton festivities, 23, 271

''Etrennes de la Noblesse," ex-
tract from, 110

Europe, American trade with, 70

Eustace, Mr., at The Hague, 103,
111, 113

Faqbl, Baron, 106, 109
Fane, Lady, 208
Favier, MUe, 233-34, 239
Federalists, the, and the financial

crises, vi-vii
Femey, a visit to, 59-61
Few, Mrs., 211
Finance, American, 42
Finland, Gulf of, 4

Fisheries question, aettlemeot of
the, 32-35, 126, 133

FitsJames, Due de, 157

Flahaut, Countess de, 234

Florida, sale of, 142

Fontainebleau, 63, 65, 114, 151,
198, 200, 221, 230-32

Footpads in London, 264

Force, Ck>mte Caumont la, 106,
114, 118, 202
Comtesse Caumont la, 106,

114, 118, 226
Due de Caumont la, 94, 202
MUe Caumont la, 119

Fouquet, Marquis de Belle-Isle, 63

Franoaie, the, 26, 68, 103, 147, 162

France, financial condition after
Waterloo, 88-89; internal
trouble, 201
Mme. de, 52 noU

Franklin, Benjamin, letter to
Richard Bache, Postmaster-
General, United States, vi

French Embassy, London, 263-64,
271

Friendship Hill, 254

Fulton, Robert, a story of, 146
and noUf 147

Galati, Coimt Joseph, 12-13

Galiani, Abb6, 60

Galitzin, MUe Katinka, 94, 98,

101, 114, 118, 167, 170, 198, 202,

230, 232, 234, 237. See aUo

Force, Comtesse Caumont la

Prince, 94, 96, 9^101, 106,

118
Princess, 58, 94, 98, 101, 106,
118, 156, 195

Gallatin, Albert, in America, vi-
vii; mission to Russia, vii, 1;
mentioned in Voltaire's letter,
295-96; recaU, 10-12; interview
with Napoleon, 67-68; the
French mission, 81-84; journey
to France, 85; religion, 105;
Brussels, 109; at The Hague,
110-12; mission to England,
125; indisposition, 139-40; le-

INDEX

Gallatin, Albert — eont,
latioDB with Spain, 142; dis-
covery of the Trianon decree,
187-90; Geneva in 1821, 191;
his first marriage, 219, 247; the
vice-presidency, 249, 251; con-
ditions of English mission, 25&-
66; and George IV, 268-69
LeUers from :
Ashburton, Lord, 276-78
Baring, Alescander, 280-87,

291-94
Bonaparte, Mme., 144-45
Humboldt, Alexander von,

44-45
Monroe, James, 84
Moreau, General, 7-10
Stagl, Mme. de, 37-39
LeUerato:
Adams, J. Q., 187-90, 258-

61
Baring, Alexander, 3, 279-

80, 287-91
Clay, Henry, 269-71, 273-

76
Crawford, W. H., 15-19
his brother-in-law, 2
Jefferson, Thomas, 78^-80
Lafayette, General, 19-20
Monroe, James, 81-84, 88-

89
Stael, Mme. de, 40-44
Albert, his son, in Paris, 78,
94, 98, 101, 103, 125; at
Fontainebleau, 113; life in
America, 179, 186, 196, 207,
217, 228-29, 233, 235, 239,
247; iUness of, 211; wife
of, 245; the house at New
Geneva, 250-52
Albert, son of James, 253
Barth^lemy de, 15 and note
Comte de, 95, 96, 106, 118-20,

204, 223, 226
Comtesse de, 96, 106, 118-20,
204, 226; and Frances, 197;
theatricals, 208-10
Count Paul Michael de, 12-13
46

Gallatin — eoni.

FVances, 78, 82; journey to
France, 85; in Paris, 87, 94,
9&-98, 101, 103, 105, 115,
125, 134, 135, 144-45, 176-
76, 180, 219; and Mme.
Bonaparte, 91; the King's
admiration for, 95; at Ver-
sailles, 103; at Fontaine-
bleau, 1 13, 21 1 ; a Christmas
party, 1 16-18 ; at the Op^ra,
137; at the Elysde, 142; at
Suresnee, 148-49; Christ-
mas preparations, 150-51;
pearls for, 152-53; d6but,
163, 167, 177, 184-85; and
Mr. Astor, 167; satUerie
for, 168-70; a bal costumS,
169-71; scarlet fever, 171-
72; at the Palais Royal,
178; trick played by James
on, 181-82; the Paris
churches, 183; in society,
190, 192, 195, 197, 204, 206,
220, 221, 224, 225-26, 232;
proposals, 193, 240; and
Mamie Kitty, 205; theatri-
cals, 208, 210; and Miss
Edwards, 222, 229, 271 ; the
Christmas play, 225-28;
reception by the Duchesse
d'Angoul^me, 236, 238; by
Louis XVIII, 240-41; pres-
ent from Pos7iO di Borgo,
242; return to America,
242-^5; letter from her
father, 246-47; and Mile
Pascault, 248; at New
Geneva, 250-52; at Trent-
ham, 266; in London, 271-
72, 276

Fran90is.de, 110

House, Geneva, 46

James, diary of, v; mission to
Russia, 1 et seq.; and Alex-
ander, 24-25; at Coppet,
58; and the Duchesse d'An-
goul6me, 64; portrait by
David, 64-67; and Louis

805

INDEX

Gallatin, Jame»— oonl.

XVIII, 86; a broken arm,
174; marriage, 249-50; his
son bom, 253; the English
mission, 256; return to
America, 258 note

Josephine, present from Du-
cheese d'Angoultoe, 250;
her son bom, 253 ; at Friend-
ship Hill, 254-55; and the
Knglish mission, 256; a
letter from, 264. See dUo
Fftscault, MUe Josephine

Louis, 61

MUe de, 152

Mme. Albert, 45, 61, 77, 78,
82-84; voyage to France,
85; life in Paris, 87, 95, 96,
98-103, 114-16, 124, 134r-37
196, 206, 208, 209, 210, 232;
reception by the King, 89,
92; observance of Simday,
94, 103, 171; visit of Louis
XVIII to, 95; at Fontaine-
bleau, 113, 211; court fimo-
lions, 116-17, 141; Christ-
mas festivities, 117-21,
152-53; illness of her hus-
band, 139-40; and her son,
142-^; and Mme. Bona-
parte, 144-45; removal to
Geneva, 147-48; and Ftbjx-
oes, 163, 168-69, 172, 185,
195; and the "Comteese
de C.,'' 173; religion, 180;
liking for London, 181;
in Aix-en-Savoi, 190-91;
and Mme. de Boigne, 192;
and Mrs. Montgomery,
199-200; a kitchen scene,
205; personality, 219, 234,
242-43; servants, 223; and
poor Americans, 228-29; a
dinner in 1823, 232-35; re-
ception by the Duchesse
d'Angoul^me, -235-36, 238;
by Louis XVIII, 241; m
America, 244, 251-52; and
MUe Pascault, 248; Christ-

GaUatin, Mme. Albert— oofil.

mas in America, 253; asup-
per at Friendship HUl, 254;
reception at Boulogne, 257-
58; Ufe in London, 263-64,
271-72, 276, 294
Gallatin-Vaudenet, Mme. de, v, 60
Gambier, Lord, 28, 72
Gambling in Paris, 230; in Lon-
don, 268
Geneva, the Gallatins at, v, vii,
viu, 36-38, 46-48, 56-69,85-112,
114, 138, 147-48, 164, 191, 215,
238; deputation from, 59; na-
tional hymn of, 170
Lake of, 146
Genlis, Mme. de, 115
George I, 24, 26
m, 132-33

IV, acoeasion, 160; stories of,
202-3; and the GaUatins,
257; and Lady Conyn^iam,
262, 272; in London, 265;
and Albert Gallatin, 268-
69, 276. See also Regent
footman, 205-6
MUe, 162
Ghent, the treaty negotiations, ▼-
vii, 20, 21, 26, 27, 35, 36, 3&-44,
51, 59; articles in the Times^
74; terms of the treaty, 124-26,
133
Ghosts, famUy, 49
Gobelin tapestries, 48
Goderich, Lord, 262, 271, 273; the
Goderich Ministry, 273-75. See
aUo Robinson, Mr.
Golts, Comte and Comtesse, 118
Gordon, Duke of, 52 and noUj 56,
108, 167, 184; Colonel Barry's
letter to, 52-56; account of hall
at VersaiUes, 56-57
Gotha River, 3
Gottenburg, 2-3, 16, 21, 280, 282,

283,287
Goulbum, Henry, 28-34, 77, 126
Granunont, Due de, 102, 106, 12&-
26
Duchesse de, 106

S06

INDEX

Grande Pharamondf Fontaine-

bleau, 230
Grant, Mr., 274
Grayson, Mr., 97
Great Britain, policy towards

United States, 275-04
Greece, emancipation of, 253^-54
GrefiFuhle, M. de, 156
Gr^goire, Abb6, 149 and note
Grenoble, 65
Greiue, head by, 67
Greville, Charles, 262 and note,

267,272
Grey, Earl, 72, 73, 262
Grimm, 60
Gris Nez, Cape, 134
Grisette, world of, Paris, 97
Grots, Comte and Comtesse de,

118
Guiocioli, Marquise de, 167
Guiche, Comte de, 125^26
Due de, 102, 125

Hague, negotiations at The, 109-

12
Hall, Captain Basil, book of, 52
Hanson, 17

Harris, Mr. Levitt, 24, 25
Harrowby, Lord, 273
Harvey, Mr., 165
Hauteoombe, monastery of, 191
Havre, 68, 69, 91
Hay, Mrs., 83

Hayti, independence of, 257, 260
Henri II of France, 63

IV of France, 92, 160
Henrietta-Maria, Queen, 12&-26
Herries, Mr., 274
Hesse-Cassel, Landgrave of, v-vi,

116, 252
Holland House, 271
Horsham, 28 note
Hortense, Queen, 49, 234
H/Ud, the term, 27
H5tel de Ville, 155-56
Hrushova, 10
Hudson River, 146 note
Humberts, the, 47

Humboldt, Baron, aid given In the
negotiations by, vii, 24, 26 and
note; letter to Albert Gallatin,
44-45; friendship with Albert
Gallatin, 93, 100, 124, 174, 242,
268,269
the brothers, 174, 185

Hundred Days, the, 90

Huntly, Lord. See Gordon, Duke of

Huskiason, William, 261, 270 and
noU, 273-75

Illingib, State of, 28
Impressment, question of, 70
Indemnity question, the, 166-67,

188, 191, 227
India, trade with, 70
Indian tribes of North-Westem
Territory, question of sover-
eignty, 27, 30-31
Indiana, State of, 28

James I, 24
Jay, Mr., 11, 277
Jean, footman, 87, 176
Jefferson, Thomas, 23, 44, 45;

letter from Albert Gtdlatin, 78-

80
Jena, 95
Jerome, King. See Bonaparte,

Jerome
Jews, civil rights, 149
"John of Bologna," statue by, 100
Jones, Captain Lloyd, 2, 279
Josephine, Empress, 49 note, 63
July 4th in Paris, 210
''Junius (Letters of)," 60
Jura, shooting in the, 216

Kensington, Lady, 222, 271

Lord, 222
Kent, Duke of, death, 154 and note
Kew Gardens, 271
King, Rufus, 236 and note, 255, 261

Latatkitb, Mile de, portrait by
Mignard, 67
M. de, friendship with Albert
Gallatin, vii, 24, 26, lOO-l,

807

INDEX

Lafayette, M. de— con/.

106, 124, 172, 174, 181, 197,
200, 214, 235, 242; letter
from Albert Gallatin, 19-
20; letter to W. H. Craw-
foid, 21-23; opinion oi Na-
poleon, 78; visit of the Gal-
latins to, 91; on liberty,
120; the conspiracy, 165;
mysterious visits of, 212-13,
221-22; visit to America,
236, 253-54; and the Due
d'Orl^ans, 257 ; at Boulogne,
257; petty plots, 259-60
Lafitte, M., 165
Uflage, Mile, 115
Lakes, the Great, question of con-
trol, 28, 31
Lansdowne, Marchioness of, 272

Marquis of, 72, 270, 273, 275
Lauriston, Marquis de, 168
Lausanne, address from president

of, to Albert Gallatin, 50
Laval, Comte de, 232
Lavalette, Monsieur de, 48
Lavalle, Due de, 179-80
Duchesse de, 179-80
Law, of South Sea Bubble fame,

168
Lawrence, Mr., 261, 268, 276
Leeds, Duke of, 62 noU
Leicester House, Leicester FieMs,

24
Leman, Lake, 48
Lent in Paris, 103-5, 144-45, 178,

203,238
Leopold, Prince, 256
Leth&ie, Agnes, 218
Lieven, Prince, 12 and note, 19,
261-62

Princess, 262
Liverpool, Lord, the negotiations,
20, 21, 28, 30, 32, 59, 74; illness
and death, 265-66, 268
Livingstone, Mr., 181, 194
Lloyd's list, 279
Loire, the, 212, 219
London, impressions, 14, 15, 12^
26, 131-33; the delegates in, 14,

London— ctmi.
20, 21 ; Seymour Street, 14, 256;
Sunday in, 29; Albert Gallatin
in, 1815, 6^77; St. James's
Street, 69, 265; the Mall, 73,
265-67, 272; the mission to,
1826,255-56

Londonderry, Lord. See Castle-
reagh, Lord

Louis XIV, 63, 87; customs, 26,
114

XV, ball at Versailles, 52 note;
marriage, 57 note

XVI, marriage, 5&-57; death,
150

XVn, impersonation in Amer-
ica, 237, 242
XVIII, and Albert Gallatin,
iii, 124, 154, 193; laws of,
14 note ; letters of, 56; re-
ception of Albert Gallatin,
63-64, 86-87, 88, 92, 240-
41; news of Napoleon's
escape, 64-65; fli^t with
royal family from Paris,
65^-66; message to Mme.
Jerome Bonaparte, 90-91;
reception of Mme. Gallatin,
89, 92; visit to Mme. Gal-
latin, 95; at the Petit Lac,
101-2; and the Orleans
family, 106, 140; and De-
caies, 123; illness, 149, 177,
183,195,211,222,229,236;
death of the Due de Beni,
157-58, 162; and Richelieu,
161; and Chateaubriand,
164; and Due de Bordeaux,
167; and the confession of
the Duchesse de Bern, 180;
and Mme. du Cayla, 200,
202, 211, 223, 229, 241; an
American's regard for, 237;
letter to Albert Gallatin,
243; death, 250
footman, 87

Louvel, awsasHin of Due de Berri,
160, 162-64

Louvre, bomb eiplosion, 162

308

INDEX

Lucien, valet, 87, 01, 111, 128, Monroe, Jamee— eoni.

131-32, 134, 140, 148, 175, 218,

223, 243, 247, 250
Lucy, Lady, 264
Lullins, the, 47
Luflsac, Gay de, 44, 45, 87, 197,

204, 212, 226
Luxembourg, 145
Luynes, Dudiesse de, 216

Macon, 63

Madison, President, vi, 1, 34, 55

Maille, Gomtesse de, 230
Due de, 158-59

Mtman Doric, 94, 141, 239

MaisofM de jeu, 207

MaUbran, 208

Mamie Kitty, nigger cook, 205-6,
212-13, 22^-26

Mantes, 68

Marais, the, Paris, 173

Marchmont, Mr., 110-11

Marie-Antoinette, 52 noU, 56, 71,
184

Marie-Louise, 55-56

Marie-Theresa, 60

Marmiers, the, 63

Marmont, Marshal, Napoleon on,
55

Maubourg, M. Latour, 168

Mecklenburg-Schwerin, Grand
Duke of, 58

Mer de Glace, the, 215

Metternich, Prince, Napoleon on,
54; policy, 261

Meunier, Baron, 168

Meyer and Bnixner, Messrs., 280

Michael, Count Paul, 152

Michigan, State of, 28

Mignard, portrait of Mile de
Lafayette, 67

Milan decree, 187, 188, 190, 298

Milligan, George, 2

Mississippi, navigation of the, 32-
33, 34, 35, 133

Monroe, James, 21 note, 34; let-
ters from Albert Gallatin, 21,
29, 81-84, 88-89; presses the
French mission on Albert Gal-

latin, 80-82; letter to Albert
Gallatin, 84
Mrs., 83
Monsieur, and Albert Gallatin, 86,
95, 193; visit to Mme. Gallatin,
95; alleged intrigues, 113, 149,
201; and Wellington, 138; and
the death oi the Due de Berri,
157; promise to Richelieu, 161;
at|Versailles, 183; adieu to the
Gallatins, 241; letter to Albert
Gallatin, 243
Montesquieu, Guy de, 207, 200
Mile, de, 226
Mme. de, 230
Montgomery, Mrs., a letter to,

199-200; kindness of, 244
Montmorency, Due de, 51, 57,
223,227

Duchesse de, 223
Mathieu de. Governor of
Compi^ine, 151, 152, 178,
263-64
Vicomte de, 241
Moreau, Gen., conversation with
Albert Gallatin, vii, 6-10; ac-
count oi, 6 note; death, 10;
silver of, 121
Morgan, Lady, 179
Morlaix, 6 note
Mormomsen, cat, 200
MouruBsa, the cat, 99
Murats, the, 190
MuriUo, a niadonna by, 67

Napolbon III, 49 note

Narishkin, M., 229

Navigation Laws, repeal of, 270

note
NaviUe, Adrien, 152, 153, 214
family, the, 47, 59, 191, 215
M., 46, 121; letters from Al-
bert Gallatin to, 67
Necker, Mme., 43, 60

M., 52
Nelson, Lord, the battle of Copen-
hagen, dr-A
Neptune, the, 2, 75, 76,279,280,286

309

INDEX

Nenebrode, Count, 5
Netherlands, Albert Gallatin sent

to, lOa-4
Newcastle, United States, 2
New England States, the, 17
Geneva, the house at, 196,

242, 246^7, 250, 256
Orleans, defence, 44, 45
Year in Paris, 94, 118-19, 137,
149, 154, 193-^, 224-29; in
Baltimore, 249; in London,
265
York, 78, 81, 243-44
Niagara, Fort, 28
Nicholas V, Pope, 57 noU
Nicholson, maiden name of Mme.

Gallatin, 105
Nicholsons, the, reception of the

Gallatins, 244
Norfolk, newspaper report of, 16
North Cray, 214

North-Westem Territory, question
of Indian sovereignty, 27-28,
30-31
Norway, England and Russia,

policy towards, 4
Notre Dame, Paris, ceremony on

Christmas Eve, 94
Nova Scotia, trade with, 70
Nufiez, Duo de Feman, 106, 239

CCoNNOB, General, 184
Mme., 184

O'Donnell, Mr., 248

Mrs., nSe Pascault, 248

Qgle-Tayk>r, Mr., 194

Ohio, State of, 28

"One-Year Queen of Bohemia,"
the, 24

Orleans, Due d', and Mme. de
Boigne, 93; return to France,
106 and noU; intrigues, 140, 201 ;
the death of the Due de Berri,
157; children of, 178; the skat-
ing carnival, 198; at the Tuile-
ries, 221; at the Gallatins',
228, 232-35; and Mme. Bonsr
parte, 237; Lafayette and, 257;
claim to the throne, 260

Organs, Due d'-

Duchessec^, return to France,
106-7; at the Palais Royal,
149; and the death of Duo
de Berri, 157; at theTuile-
ries, 177, 221; the skating
carnival, 198; and the Gal-
latins, 227-28, 232-35, 241

family, return to France, 93,
154; the royal family and,
144; innovations at court,
149; and birth of Due de
Bordeaux, 166-67; recep-
tions at the Palais Royal,
209; reception at the Span-
ish Embassy, 227

Mile d', 107, 158, 160, 177,
178, 228, 232, 241

the Regent, 115
Oraay, Comte D', 106j 121, 125,
136,150

Comtesse D*, 106, 125, 150

Mile D*, married Duo de
Guiche, 125
Osmond family, the, 104

Marquis d', 92 and note, 220

Marquise d', 220

Mme., invitation from, 206-8,
209

M. d', 106, 120 and note, 20&-
8,209
Ostend, 110
Ourousoffs, the, 101

Pajol, General, 165

Palais Royal, gardens, 91, 93, 102;
the Orleans family established
at, 106, 160, 166, 241; recep-
tions, Ac, 124, 141, 154, 178,
192, 194, 209, 229, 232, 235
Royal, the oH, 173

Pahnerston, Lord, 274

Papal Nuncio, the, at the Spanish
Embassy, 171, 208

Paris, impressions, 14, 26, 41, 73;
visit of the Gallatins, 1815,
63; Rue de Monsieur, 64; ar-
rival of Napoleon, 65h68; cere-
mony in the Champs de Mars,

SIO

INDEX

Fsm—eont.
76; return of the Qallatinji in
1816, 85; Rue de rUniverait^,
87; 0BurdeD8 of the Palaifl Royal,
91; public baths, 111; return of
the Gallatins, September 1817,
113; Christmafl and the New
Year in, 116-20, 137, 162-53,
174, 193-94, 224-29; return of
James Gallatin in 1818, 134-35;
in 1819, 149; in 1822, 217; in
1826, 258
Parish and Girard, Mesan., vi-yii

Mr., 188
Parker, Mr., 91, 213
Pascault, brother of M. Ptocault,
248
Mile Henrietta. jSeeReubel,

Mme.
Mile Josephine, beauty of,
237-38^ 245-49; marriage
to James Gallatin, 249-60
Mme., 246, 248
M. (Marquis de Poldon), 61,
62, 237, 246, 246 and ruiU,
247-48; and the Arch-
bishop of Baltimore, 249-
60; iUness, 251-62
Ptoquier, M., 168
Patiomkin, Princess, 68
Patterson, Mr., 246, 247

Mrs. Robert, 194, 197, 20O;
married Marquis of Welles-
ley, 222, 263 and note
Robert, 166, 263 noie
Pavilion Henri Quatre, St. Ger-
main, 204
Peace, European Treaty of, 23
with United States, the treaty
signed, 35
Peacock, the, 86, 240, 243
Peel, Mr., 273-74
Pennsylvania, 196
Peter, black servant, 96, 140
PM Lac, Bois de Boulogne, skat-
ing on the, 101, 119, 195, 198-
99, 202, 226-27, 232
Petit Trianon, the, 26
Pickering, 17

Pictet, MUe, 105, 118

M.,60
Pin, Tour du, 231
Pitt, William, 60
Place, M. la, 94, 100-1, 124, 242

and note
Plaisance, Due, 100
Duchesse, 100
Poitiers, Diane de, 63
Poix, Prince de, 161, 230
Pol6on, Marquis de. See Pa»-

cault, M.
Poletica, Mr., 16, 19
Polignac, Jules de, 263
Pope, the, and Napoleon, 64, 63
Portal, M., Marine and Roy, 168
Portland, Duke of, 273
Portugal, affairs in, 1827, 275^-76
Prangins, 49

Praslin, Due de Choiseul, 63^-64
Pregny, 60, 61, 138, 146
Press of 1816, sympathy with

Napoleon, 86
Prussia, Queen of, 48
Puys^gur, friendship of, 102, 135,

166, 159, 209-10

QusLLON, M. du, 200
Quincy, 17

Racins, PhMre, 26
Ratifar, M., chef, 87
R^becque, Baron Constant, 93,
112
Mme. de, 112
Rtounier, Mme., 61, 93, 104, 121,

136-37, 139, 150-51, 190, 194
Red Indians, 32

Regent, the (afterwards George
IV), 16; and Albert Gallatin, 72,
77; at Brighton, 127-31; ap-
pearance, 266. See alao George
IV
Renaissance architecture, 218
Reubel, Frederic, 246, 256

General, 62, 245, 248-49, 263
Mile, 246, 248
Mme., 62, 237. 245, 248, 26%
266

811

INDEX

R«Tolution, the French, references
to, 61, 14^-47, 164

Richelieu, Due de, and Albert
Gallatin, 86 and tujie, 91, 94,
100, 138, 139, 149; resignation,
123, 137; and the Queen of
Sweden, 137. 161-62, 163, 194,
223; pension, 138; refuses office,
161 ; Monsieur and, 161 ;and Cha-
teaubriand, 164; and the in-
demnity, 166-67, 188; return to
power, 168; honesty of, 174;
death, 203-4; and Mme. du
Cayla, 223
Ministry, the, 168

Richmond, 271

Robespierre, 7

Robinson, Mr. Frederic (after-
wards Viscount Goderich), Vice-
President of Board of Trade, 72
and note; the negotiations in
London, 73-77; terms of Ghent
treaty, 126, 133

Rocca, M., 104, 216 and note

Rochefoucauld d'Enville, Due de
la, 26, 89, 94, 150, 229
Mathieu de la, 200
Sosth^e de la, 94, 102, 150,
155, 169, 223

Rochejacquelin, M. de, 122

Rochment, Fictet de, 118

Rocky Mountains, and the bound-
ary question, 275

"Roger de Coverley," 119

Rogers, Captain, of the Peacock^
85,243

Rohan, Due de, 106

Rohan-ChAbot, M., 157

Role, Chateau du, 214, 216

RoUe, 48

Romanzoff, Count, 5, 6, 7, 12, 13

Rome, 144

RomiUy, Mme. Meunier, portrait
of Albert Gallatin, 61-62

Rosbach, 295, 296

Rosette, danseuse, 92, 93

Rosey, M. Du, 216

Rothschild, M., 76, 104

Rouen, 68, 69

Rousseau, theories, ▼

''Rout," a London, 265, 272

Rovigo, Due de, the conspiracy,
165

Rosay, ChAteau de, 48
MUe Rolas du, 48

Rush, Mr.. 16, 125, 126, 132; dis-
patches to, 233, 260-61

Russell, Mr., appointed on the
Peace Commission, 16, 28, 33

Rutland, Duchess of, 265

Sacconnex, 58-59, 216
Sackett's Harbour, 28
St. Ck>ud, 208, 211, 221, 240
Domingo, massacre on, 53, 62,

246 note
Germain, 204-5, 211
Helena, 111, 186; '*The Man-
uscript of St. Helena,'' 121
James's, Court of, 236 noU
Lawrence River, navigation,

70
Mary's River, navigatk)n laws,

192
Paul's Cathedral, 70
Petersburg, vi, 279; impres-
sions, 4, 10, 14, 15, 174-75
Pierre, Cathedral oi, 38, 61
Pierre de Challiot, 202
Sebastian, Amsterdam, 187
Sainte-Chapelle, the, 126
Saladins, the, 47
Salont customs of the, 47
SangUer, chasae au, 113-14, 151—

52,200
Sarrasins, the, 47
Savigliano in the Piedmont, 12
Savoy, Duke of, 50

Dukes of, burial-place, 191
Saye and Sele, Lord, 70-71
''Schottische," the, 115
Seine, the, 116; steamboats, 146

note; baths in the, 211
Sellon, Comte de, 47, 48, 51, 191,
214
Hortense de, 48, 49
Senarclan, M. de, 50
Sennox, 245

S12

INDEX

8erent, Due de, 151
Duchesse de, 241

Sexgy, 60

Serre, M. de, vi, 168

Sevenoaks, 128

Sheldon, Mr., 87 and note, 113,
167, 201

Sicily, 23

Sigismonde, M., 56

Sim6on, M., 168

Simplon Paas, the, 55

Sismondi, M. J. C. L., apprecia-
tion of Albert Gallatin, 38, 47
and noUf 51

Skating, 195, 198, 202, 226-27,
232

Slave trade, Alexander on the, 23;
Napoleon on the, 53, 68; the
captured slaves, indemnity for
owners, 126, 259

Soltx, Comte and Gomtesse, 106

Sophia, Electress, 24; stories of,
26,27

Sorel, Agnes, 57 noUf 218

South American Republics, 142

Spain, and the Treaty of 1819, 142

Spanish colonies revolt, 142, 253
Embassy, Paris, 171, 208, 227,
239

Spartan, frigate, 2

Specie payments, suspension of, in
United States, 81

Stadinck, Marshal, 22

Stafil, Mme. de, friendship for
Albert Gallatin, vii, 46, 266; and
Alexander, 23-25; letters to
Albert Gallatin, 1814, 37-39;
letter from Albert Gallatin, 40-
44; life at Coppet, 50-52, 56-58,
71, 89; "Corinne" presented to
James Gallatin, 58; Byron and,
59; question of her fortune, 67,
104; in Paris, 93, 94, 100-1;
and Wellington, 102; illness and
death, 108-9; habits, 122, 145
Albertine de, 51, 56. See dUo

Broglie, Duchesse de
Auguste de, 39, 43, 51, 109,
216

Stafford, Marchioness of, 71, 232,

235, 261-62, 266
Stirling, Lord, 267
Stratford, Lord, 62 note
Strong, 17
Stuart, Ghevalier, 106, 118-19, 169,

204,208
Sunday, in London, 15; in Paris, 94
Suresnes, 148-49
Sutherland, Gountess of. See

Stafford, Marchioness of
Sweden, Queen of, wife of Bema-

dotte, 122 and note; and M.

de RicheUeu, 137, 161, 163, 194,

203, 204, 223; a lampoon on,

151
Swiss girls, habits of, 217

Talleyrand, Prince, 106, 123-24,

162-63, 227, 265, 268
Tabna, actor, 162
Talmont, Prhiceese de, 122
Tankerville, Lord, 126
Terror, the, 146-47, 164
T6te de Noire Pass, Ghamounix,

215
ThSnard, 44, 45
Thome, the Misses, 204
Tilsit, Treaty of, 54
Tijnes, the, criticism of the Treaty

of Ghent, 74
Todd, John, 2
Tortoni's, 208, 212
Tour, Balliet La, friendship, 102,

118
GariUon la, 195, 212
Mme. Garillon la, 195, 230
Tower of London, 70, 132
Tracy, Mr., 19
Treasury, Paris, bomb explosions,

177
United States, offer to Albert
Gallatin, 84-85
Trentham, entertainment at, 262,

266
Trianon Decree of August 5, 1810,

187-90
Trois Frdres Provenceauz, 183
Tudert, Sarah, 218

313

INDEX

TuikrieB, reception of Napoleon,
0&-66; etiquette, 124; funeral
of the Duo de Bern, 159; Du-
chesBe de Berri at, 162; bomb
explosion at, 177; reoeptions,
Ac., 177, 210, 220-21

Twenty years' war in Europe, 41

Uniontown, reception of Lafay-
ette, 253-54

United States, Trianon decree of
August 5, 1810, 297-08

Valubrb, Mile de la, 126

Vaud, Canton de, address to Al-
bert Gallatin, 50, 59

Vaux Praslin, 63

Veronese, Paolo, "Queen Esther
before Ahasuerus,*' 67

Versailles, the Petit Trianon, 26;
entertainment at, 52 note, 56-57,
183-84; the Lussacs at, 87;
visits to, 103; the Duchesse
d'Angoul6me and, 211

Vestris, Mme. Le, 182

Veufl9ans, ChAteau de, above Lau-
sanne, 50

Vienna, Congress of, 37, 74, 79

Villar, Due de, 60

ViUe Juis, 55

Villdle, M. de, 227, 257, 260

Vilette, Mme. de la, 61

Vinoennes, skating at, 174

Vincent, Baron, 106, 239

"Vivian Grey," 267

Vodka, popularity of, 6

Voltaire, v, 56, 59-61, 105, 184;
letter to Count d'Argental,
295-96

Vosges Mountains, 60

Waddinoton, Mme., 236 note
Waldorf, 80
Walewski, Count, 234
Walpole, Lord, 13, 287
Warden, Mr., 44, 45
Warren, Admiral, passport of, 2,
280

Washington, capture of, 4(M1;
impressions, 73; Albert GaUatin
in, 83, 84, 244
President, 11, 56

WaterkK), 76; the plains of. 111

Watts, Lady Mary, 267
Mr., 267

Weak! of Sussex, 132

Wellesley, Lady. See Pattenon,
Mrs..Robt.
Miirquis of, 62 note, 222, 263
note

Wellington, Duke of, 28 note, 62
note, 90, 141 and note, 265; pri-
vatenotes to Albert Gallatin, 34r-
35; and Mme. de Sta^l, 39, 51;
the negotiations, 59; and Aflbert
Gallatin, 73; on the Treaty of
Ghent, 74; Waterkx), 76; and
James Gallatin, 93; personality,
102; attempt on his life, 104;
dinner given by, 106; and the
French Royal Family, 138;
amours, 165; and Mrs. Robert
Patterson, 194, 222, 263 naU ;
purehase of the H6tel Borgh^,
220 noie; and Cannmg, 260;
a banquet, 271-72; command of
the Army, 273, 274

West India trade, settlement of
the question, 70, 126, 133

Western Virginia, Albert Gallatin's
love for, 196, 217, 219, 224; the
house in, 244-45

Westmoreland, Countess of, 141
and note, 144, 208

Westphalia, Court of, 252, 255

Weyer, M. Van der, 256

Whigs, policy of the, 1827, 270

White Hart Inn, 271

White's Club, 132, 203; gambliog
at, 263, 264

Wigs, Bonaparte fashion of ^
ing, 248

Wisconsin, State of, 28

WQrtemberg, King of, 96

York, Duke of, death, 265-67
York House, 265

S14

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